Systems and methods for improved communication efficiency in wireless networks

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for providing wireless messages according to various tone plans can include a method of wireless communication. The method includes allocating a first allocation unit associated with a first tone plan having a first number of tones, for communication of one or more wireless messages by a wireless device. The method further includes allocating a second allocation unit, associated with a second tone plan having a second number of tones different from the first number of tones, for communication of one or more wireless messages by the wireless device. The method further includes selecting a combined tone plan for the wireless device based on at least the first tone plan and the second tone plan. The method further includes providing a wireless message for transmission by the wireless device according to the combined tone plan.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S.Provisional App. No. 62/037,542, filed Aug. 14, 2014; U.S. ProvisionalApp. No. 62/039,832, filed Aug. 20, 2014; and U.S. Provisional App. No.62/067,357, filed Oct. 22, 2014; each of which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wirelesscommunications, and more particularly, to methods and apparatuses forproviding messages according to various tone plans.

BACKGROUND

In many telecommunication systems, communications networks are used toexchange messages among several interacting spatially-separated devices.Networks can be classified according to geographic scope, which couldbe, for example, a metropolitan area, a local area, or a personal area.Such networks can be designated respectively as a wide area network(WAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), local area network (LAN), orpersonal area network (PAN). Networks also differ according to theswitching/routing technique used to interconnect the various networknodes and devices (e.g., circuit switching vs. packet switching), thetype of physical media employed for transmission (e.g., wired vs.wireless), and the set of communication protocols used (e.g., Internetprotocol suite, SONET (Synchronous Optical Networking), Ethernet, etc.).

Wireless networks are often preferred when the network elements aremobile and thus have dynamic connectivity needs, or if the networkarchitecture is formed in an ad hoc, rather than fixed, topology.Wireless networks employ intangible physical media in an unguidedpropagation mode using electromagnetic waves in the radio, microwave,infrared, optical, etc. frequency bands. Wireless networksadvantageously facilitate user mobility and rapid field deployment whencompared to fixed wired networks.

The devices in a wireless network can transmit/receive informationbetween each other. Device transmissions can interfere with each other,and certain transmissions can selectively block other transmissions.Where many devices share a communication network, congestion andinefficient link usage can result. As such, systems, methods, andnon-transitory computer-readable media are needed for improvingcommunication efficiency in wireless networks.

SUMMARY

Various implementations of systems, methods and devices within the scopeof the appended claims each have several aspects, no single one of whichis solely responsible for the desirable attributes described herein.Without limiting the scope of the appended claims, some prominentfeatures are described herein.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of wirelesscommunication. The method includes allocating a first allocation unitassociated with a first tone plan having a first number of tones, forcommunication of one or more wireless messages by a wireless device. Themethod further includes allocating a second allocation unit, associatedwith a second tone plan having a second number of tones different fromthe first number of tones, for communication of one or more wirelessmessages by the wireless device. The method further includes selecting acombined tone plan for the wireless device based on at least the firsttone plan and the second tone plan. The method further includesproviding a wireless message for transmission by the wireless deviceaccording to the combined tone plan.

In various embodiments, the method can further include allocating athird allocation unit, associated with a third tone plan, forcommunication of one or more wireless messages by the wireless device.Selecting the combined tone plan can be further based on the third toneplan.

In various embodiments, the first allocation unit has one of 24, 48,102, 234, 468, or 980 data tones, and the second allocation unit has oneof 24, 48, 102, 234, 468, or 980 data tones. In various embodiments, thefirst allocation unit has one of 26, 52, 106, 242, 484, or 996 totaltones, and the second allocation unit has one of 26, 52, 106, 242, 484,or 996 total tones.

In various embodiments, selecting the combined tone plan can includeselecting a combination of two or more 26-, 52-, 106-, 242-, 484-, and996-tone allocation units. Selecting the combined tone plan can furtherinclude selecting a tone plan having one of 150, 282, 336, 516, 570,702, 1028, 1082, 1214, 1448, or 1682 data tones as the combined toneplan based on the selected combination.

In various embodiments, selecting the combined tone plan can includeselecting at least one of: a tone plan having 150 data tones based on a52-tone allocation unit combined with a 106-tone allocation unit, a toneplan having 282 data tones based on a 52-tone allocation unit combinedwith a 242-tone allocation unit, a tone plan having 336 data tones basedon a 106-tone allocation unit combined with a 242-tone allocation unit,a tone plan having 516 data tones based on a 52-tone allocation unitcombined with a 484-tone allocation unit, a tone plan having 570 datatones based on a 106-tone allocation unit combined with a 484-toneallocation unit, a tone plan having 702 data tones based on a 242-toneallocation unit combined with a 484-tone allocation unit, a tone planhaving 1028 data tones based on a 52-tone allocation unit combined witha 996-tone allocation unit, a tone plan having 1082 data tones based ona 106-tone allocation unit combined with a 996-tone allocation unit, atone plan having 1214 data tones based on a 242-tone allocation unitcombined with a 996-tone allocation unit, a tone plan having 1448 datatones based on a 484-tone allocation unit combined with a 996-toneallocation unit, or a tone plan having 1682 data tones based on a242-tone allocation unit combined with a 484-tone allocation unit and a996-tone allocation unit.

In various embodiments, providing the wireless message for transmissioncan include providing the wireless message for transmission over one ofa 15 MHz, 25 MHz, 30 MHz, 45 MHz, 50 MHz, 60 MHz, 85 MHz, 90 MHz, 100MHz, 120 MHz, or 140 MHz channel according to one of 192-, 320-, 384-,576-, 640-, 768-, 1088, 1152-, 1280-, 1536-, or 1792-tone plan.

In various embodiments, providing the wireless message for transmissioncan include separately encoding and/or interleaving data over the firstallocation unit and the second allocation unit according to the firsttone plan and the second tone plan. In various embodiments, providingthe wireless message for transmission can include jointly encoding data,over both the first allocation unit and the second allocation unitallocated to one user, according to an associated tone plan, andindependently interleaving the first allocation unit and the secondallocation unit.

In various embodiments, selecting the combined tone plan can includeforming the combined tone plan by setting a number of data tones to asum of all data tones included in the first allocation unit, the secondallocation unit, and any other allocation units allocated to thewireless device, setting a number of pilot tones to a sum of all pilottones included in the first allocation unit, the second allocation unit,and any other allocation units allocated to the wireless device, andseparately encoding and/or interleaving the first allocation unit andthe second allocation unit according to a binary convolution codeinterleaving depth (NCOL) and low-density parity check tone mappingdistance (DTM).

In various embodiments, selecting the combined tone plan can includeforming the combined tone plan by setting a number of data tones to asum of all data tones included in the first allocation unit, the secondallocation unit, and any other allocation units allocated to thewireless device, setting a number of pilot tones to a sum of all pilottones included in the first allocation unit, the second allocation unit,and any other allocation units allocated to the wireless device, andjointly encoding and interleaving over the first allocation unit, thesecond allocation unit, and any other allocation units allocated to thewireless device.

In various embodiments, the wireless device can include an access point,and wherein providing the wireless message for transmission includestransmitting the wireless message through a transmitter and an antennaof the access point to a mobile station served by the access point. Invarious embodiments, the wireless device can include a mobile station,and providing the wireless message for transmission includestransmitting the message through a transmitter and an antenna of themobile station to an access point serving the mobile station.

Another aspect provides an apparatus configured to wirelesslycommunicate. The apparatus includes a memory that stores instructions.The apparatus further includes a processing system coupled with thememory and configured to execute the instructions to allocate a firstallocation unit associated with a first tone plan having a first numberof tones, for communication of one or more wireless messages by awireless device. The processing system is further configured to allocatea second allocation unit, associated with a second tone plan having asecond number of tones different from the first number of tones, forcommunication of one or more wireless messages by the wireless device.The processing system is further configured to select a combined toneplan for the wireless device based on at least the first tone plan andthe second tone plan. The processing system is further configured toprovide a wireless message for transmission by the wireless deviceaccording to the combined tone plan.

In various embodiments, the processing system can be further configuredto allocate a third allocation unit, associated with a third tone plan,for communication of one or more wireless messages by the wirelessdevice. The processing system can be configured to select the combinedtone plan is further based on the third tone plan.

In various embodiments, the first allocation unit has one of 24, 48,102, 234, 468, or 980 data tones, and the second allocation unit has oneof 24, 48, 102, 234, 468, or 980 data tones. In various embodiments, thefirst allocation unit has one of 26, 52, 106, 242, 484, or 996 totaltones, and the second allocation unit has one of 26, 52, 106, 242, 484,or 996 total tones.

In various embodiments, the processing system can be configured toselect the combined tone plan by selecting a combination of two or more26-, 52-, 106-, 242-, 484-, and 996-tone allocation units, and selectinga tone plan having one of 150, 282, 336, 516, 570, 702, 1028, 1082,1214, 1448, or 1682 data tones as the combined tone plan based on theselected combination.

In various embodiments, the processing system can be configured toselect the combined tone plan by selecting at least one of: a tone planhaving 150 data tones based on a 52-tone allocation unit combined with a106-tone allocation unit, a tone plan having 282 data tones based on a52-tone allocation unit combined with a 242-tone allocation unit, a toneplan having 336 data tones based on a 106-tone allocation unit combinedwith a 242-tone allocation unit, a tone plan having 516 data tones basedon a 52-tone allocation unit combined with a 484-tone allocation unit, atone plan having 570 data tones based on a 106-tone allocation unitcombined with a 484-tone allocation unit, a tone plan having 702 datatones based on a 242-tone allocation unit combined with a 484-toneallocation unit, a tone plan having 1028 data tones based on a 52-toneallocation unit combined with a 996-tone allocation unit, a tone planhaving 1082 data tones based on a 106-tone allocation unit combined witha 996-tone allocation unit, a tone plan having 1214 data tones based ona 242-tone allocation unit combined with a 996-tone allocation unit, atone plan having 1448 data tones based on a 484-tone allocation unitcombined with a 996-tone allocation unit, or a tone plan having 1682data tones based on a 242-tone allocation unit combined with a 484-toneallocation unit and a 996-tone allocation unit.

In various embodiments, providing the wireless message for transmissioncan include providing the wireless message for transmission over one ofa 15 MHz, 25 MHz, 30 MHz, 45 MHz, 50 MHz, 60 MHz, 85 MHz, 90 MHz, 100MHz, 120 MHz, or 140 MHz channel according to one of 192-, 320-, 384-,576-, 640-, 768-, 1088, 1152-, 1280-, 1536-, or 1792-tone plan.

In various embodiments, the processing system can be configured toprovide the wireless message for transmission by separately encodingand/or interleaving data over the first allocation unit and the secondallocation unit according to the first tone plan and the second toneplan. In various embodiments,

In various embodiments, the processing system can be configured toprovide the wireless message for transmission by jointly encoding data,over both the first allocation unit and the second allocation unitallocated to one user, according to an associated tone plan, andindependently interleaving the first allocation unit and the secondallocation unit.

In various embodiments, the processing system can be configured toselect the combined tone plan by forming the combined tone plan bysetting a number of data tones to a sum of all data tones included inthe first allocation unit, the second allocation unit, and any otherallocation units allocated to the wireless device, setting a number ofpilot tones to a sum of all pilot tones included in the first allocationunit, the second allocation unit, and any other allocation unitsallocated to the wireless device, and separately encoding and/orinterleaving the first allocation unit and the second allocation unitaccording to a binary convolution code interleaving depth (NCOL) andlow-density parity check tone mapping distance (DTM).

In various embodiments, the processing system can be configured toselect the combined tone plan by forming the combined tone plan bysetting a number of data tones to a sum of all data tones included inthe first allocation unit, the second allocation unit, and any otherallocation units allocated to the wireless device, setting a number ofpilot tones to a sum of all pilot tones included in the first allocationunit, the second allocation unit, and any other allocation unitsallocated to the wireless device, and jointly encoding and interleavingover the first allocation unit, the second allocation unit, and anyother allocation units allocated to the wireless device.

In various embodiments, the apparatus can include an access point. Theapparatus can further include a transmitter and an antenna configured totransmit the wireless message to a mobile station served by the accesspoint. In various embodiments, the apparatus can include a mobilestation. The apparatus can further include a transmitter and an antennaconfigured to transmit the wireless message to an access point servingthe mobile station

Another aspect provides another apparatus for wireless communication.The apparatus includes means for allocating a first allocation unitassociated with a first tone plan having a first number of tones, forcommunication of one or more wireless messages by a wireless device. Theapparatus further includes means for allocating a second allocationunit, associated with a second tone plan having a second number of tonesdifferent from the first number of tones, for communication of one ormore wireless messages by the wireless device. The apparatus furtherincludes means for selecting a combined tone plan for the wirelessdevice based on at least the first tone plan and the second tone plan.The apparatus further includes means for providing a wireless messagefor transmission by the wireless device according to the combined toneplan.

In various embodiments, the apparatus can further include means forallocating a third allocation unit, associated with a third tone plan,for communication of one or more wireless messages by the wirelessdevice. Selecting the combined tone plan can be further based on thethird tone plan.

In various embodiments, the first allocation unit has one of 24, 48,102, 234, 468, or 980 data tones, and the second allocation unit has oneof 24, 48, 102, 234, 468, or 980 data tones. In various embodiments, thefirst allocation unit has one of 26, 52, 106, 242, 484, or 996 totaltones, and the second allocation unit has one of 26, 52, 106, 242, 484,or 996 total tones.

In various embodiments, means for selecting the combined tone plan caninclude means for selecting a combination of two or more 26-, 52-, 106-,242-, 484-, and 996-tone allocation units, and means for selecting atone plan having one of 150, 282, 336, 516, 570, 702, 1028, 1082, 1214,1448, or 1682 data tones as the combined tone plan based on the selectedcombination.

Another aspect provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Themedium includes code that, when executed, causes an apparatus toallocate a first allocation unit associated with a first tone planhaving a first number of tones, for communication of one or morewireless messages by a wireless device. The medium further includes codethat, when executed, causes the apparatus to allocate a secondallocation unit, associated with a second tone plan having a secondnumber of tones different from the first number of tones, forcommunication of one or more wireless messages by the wireless device.The medium further includes code that, when executed, causes theapparatus to select a combined tone plan for the wireless device basedon at least the first tone plan and the second tone plan. The mediumfurther includes code that, when executed, causes the apparatus toprovide a wireless message for transmission by the wireless deviceaccording to the combined tone plan.

Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter describedin this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and thedescription below. Other features, aspects, and advantages will becomeapparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. Note thatthe relative dimensions of the following figures may not be drawn toscale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system inwhich aspects of the present disclosure can be employed.

FIG. 2 illustrates various components that can be utilized in a wirelessdevice that can be employed within the wireless communication system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary 2N-tone plan, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows upper bounds for 64-, 128-, 256-, 512-, and 1024-tone plansaccording to various embodiments when there is a single user.

FIG. 5A shows upper bounds for 64-tone, 5 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 5B shows gain from any of the feasible 5 MHz tone plans over otherpossible tone plans, including some existing tone plans.

FIG. 6A shows upper bounds for 128-tone, 10 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 6B shows gain from any of the feasible 10 MHz tone plans over otherpossible tone plans, including some existing tone plans.

FIG. 7A shows upper bounds for 192-tone, 15 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 7B shows gain from any of the feasible 15 MHz tone plans over otherpossible tone plans, including some existing tone plans.

FIG. 8A shows upper bounds for 256-tone, 20 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 8B shows gain from any of the feasible 20 MHz tone plans over otherpossible tone plans, including some existing tone plans.

FIG. 9A shows upper bounds for 384-tone, 30 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 9B shows gain from any of the feasible 30 MHz tone plans over otherpossible tone plans, including some existing tone plans.

FIG. 10A shows upper bounds for 512-tone, 40 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 10B shows gain from any of the feasible 40 MHz tone plans overother possible tone plans, including some existing tone plans.

FIG. 11A shows upper bounds for 768-tone, 60 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 11B shows gain from any of the feasible 60 MHz tone plans overother possible tone plans, including some existing tone plans.

FIG. 12A shows upper bounds for 1024-tone, 80 MHz tone plans accordingto various embodiments.

FIG. 12B shows gain from any of the feasible 80 MHz tone plans overother possible tone plans, including some existing tone plans.

FIG. 13A shows upper bounds for 1280-tone, 100 MHz tone plans accordingto various embodiments.

FIG. 13B shows gain from any of the feasible 100 MHz tone plans overother possible tone plans, including some existing tone plans.

FIG. 14A shows upper bounds for 1536-tone, 120 MHz tone plans accordingto various embodiments.

FIG. 14B shows gain from any of the feasible 120 MHz tone plans overother possible tone plans, including some existing tone plans.

FIG. 15A shows upper bounds for 1792-tone, 140 MHz tone plans accordingto various embodiments.

FIG. 15B shows gain from any of the feasible 140 MHz tone plans overother possible tone plans, including some existing tone plans.

FIG. 16 shows a system that is operable to generate interleavingparameters for orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA)tone plans, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 shows an exemplary multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systemthat can be implemented in wireless devices, such as the wireless deviceof FIG. 16, to transmit and receive wireless communications.

FIG. 18 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 64-tone plan embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 128-tone planembodiment.

FIG. 20 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 192-tone planembodiment.

FIG. 21 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 256-tone planembodiment.

FIG. 22 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 384-tone planembodiment.

FIG. 23 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 512-tone planembodiment.

FIG. 24 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 768-tone planembodiment.

FIG. 25 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 1024-tone planembodiment.

FIG. 26 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 1280-tone planembodiment.

FIG. 27 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 1536-tone planembodiment.

FIG. 28 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 1792-tone planembodiment.

FIG. 29 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to another 64-tone planembodiment.

FIG. 30 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to another 128-tone planembodiment.

FIG. 31 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to another 256-tone planembodiment.

FIG. 32 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 512-tone planembodiment.

FIG. 33 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 1024-tone planembodiment.

FIG. 34 shows upper bounds for 320-tone, 25 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 35 shows upper bounds for 576-tone, 45 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 36 shows upper bounds for 640-tone, 50 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 37 shows upper bounds for 1088-tone, 85 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 38 shows upper bounds for 1152-tone, 90 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 39 shows exemplary sub-band formation using multiple allocationunits, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 40 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method of wirelesscommunication that can be employed within the wireless communicationsystem 100 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 41 shows upper bounds for 32-tone, 2.5 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 42 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 32-tone plan embodiment.

FIG. 43 shows exemplary sub-band formation using multiple allocationunits, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 44 is a chart showing exemplary data tone choices for the sub-bandformation using multiple allocation units of FIG. 43, according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 45 shows another flowchart of an exemplary method of wirelesscommunication that can be employed within the wireless communicationsystem 100 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods aredescribed more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. The teachings disclosure can, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to any specificstructure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather,these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to thoseskilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein one skilled in the artshould appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to coverany aspect of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosedherein, whether implemented independently of or combined with any otheraspect of the invention. For example, an apparatus can be implemented ora method can be practiced using any number of the aspects set forthherein. In addition, the scope of the invention is intended to coversuch an apparatus or method which is practiced using other structure,functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or otherthan the various aspects of the invention set forth herein. It should beunderstood that any aspect disclosed herein can be embodied by one ormore elements of a claim.

Although particular aspects are described herein, many variations andpermutations of these aspects fall within the scope of the disclosure.Although some benefits and advantages of the preferred aspects arementioned, the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited toparticular benefits, uses, or objectives. Rather, aspects of thedisclosure are intended to be broadly applicable to different wirelesstechnologies, system configurations, networks, and transmissionprotocols, some of which are illustrated by way of example in thefigures and in the following description of the preferred aspects. Thedetailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of thedisclosure rather than limiting, the scope of the disclosure beingdefined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Implementing Devices

Wireless network technologies can include various types of wirelesslocal area networks (WLANs). A WLAN can be used to interconnect nearbydevices together, employing widely used networking protocols. Thevarious aspects described herein can apply to any communicationstandard, such as Wi-Fi or, more generally, any member of the Instituteof Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of wirelessprotocols.

In some aspects, wireless signals can be transmitted according to ahigh-efficiency 802.11 protocol using orthogonal frequency-divisionmultiplexing (OFDM), direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)communications, a combination of OFDM and DSSS communications, or otherschemes.

In some implementations, a WLAN includes various devices which are thecomponents that access the wireless network. For example, there can betwo types of devices: access points (“APs”) and clients (also referredto as stations, or “STAs”). In general, an AP serves as a hub or basestation for the WLAN and an STA serves as a user of the WLAN. Forexample, a STA can be a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a mobile phone, etc. In an example, an STA connects to an AP viaa Wi-Fi (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocol such as 802.11ax) compliant wirelesslink to obtain general connectivity to the Internet or to other widearea networks. In some implementations an STA can also be used as an AP.

The techniques described herein can be used for various broadbandwireless communication systems, including communication systems that arebased on an orthogonal multiplexing scheme. Examples of suchcommunication systems include Spatial Division Multiple Access (SDMA),Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Orthogonal Frequency DivisionMultiple Access (OFDMA) systems, Single-Carrier Frequency DivisionMultiple Access (SC-FDMA) systems, and so forth. An SDMA system canutilize sufficiently different directions to concurrently transmit databelonging to multiple user terminals. A TDMA system can allow multipleuser terminals to share the same frequency channel by dividing thetransmission signal into different time slots, each time slot beingassigned to different user terminal. A TDMA system can implement globalsystem for mobile (GSM) or some other standards known in the art. AnOFDMA system utilizes orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM),which is a modulation technique that partitions the overall systembandwidth into multiple orthogonal sub-carriers. These sub-carriers canalso be called tones, bins, etc. With OFDM, each sub-carrier can beindependently modulated with data. An OFDM system can implement IEEE802.11 or some other standards known in the art. An SC-FDMA system canutilize interleaved FDMA (IFDMA) to transmit on sub-carriers that aredistributed across the system bandwidth, localized FDMA (LFDMA) totransmit on a block of adjacent sub-carriers, or enhanced FDMA (EFDMA)to transmit on multiple blocks of adjacent sub-carriers. In general,modulation symbols are sent in the frequency domain with OFDM and in thetime domain with SC-FDMA. A SC-FDMA system can implement 3GPP-LTE (3rdGeneration Partnership Project Long Term Evolution) or other standards.

The teachings herein can be incorporated into (e.g., implemented withinor performed by) a variety of wired or wireless apparatuses (e.g.,nodes). In some aspects, a wireless node implemented in accordance withthe teachings herein can comprise an access point or an access terminal.

An access point (“AP”) can comprise, be implemented as, or known as aNodeB, Radio Network Controller (“RNC”), eNodeB, Base Station Controller(“BSC”), Base Transceiver Station (“BTS”), Base Station (“BS”),Transceiver Function (“TF”), Radio Router, Radio Transceiver, BasicService Set (“BSS”), Extended Service Set (“ESS”), Radio Base Station(“RBS”), or some other terminology.

A station (“STA”) can also comprise, be implemented as, or known as auser terminal, an access terminal (“AT”), a subscriber station, asubscriber unit, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal,a user agent, a user device, user equipment, or some other terminology.In some implementations an access terminal can comprise a cellulartelephone, a cordless telephone, a Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”)phone, a wireless local loop (“WLL”) station, a personal digitalassistant (“PDA”), a handheld device having wireless connectioncapability, or some other suitable processing device connected to awireless modem. Accordingly, one or more aspects taught herein can beincorporated into a phone (e.g., a cellular phone or smart phone), acomputer (e.g., a laptop), a portable communication device, a headset, aportable computing device (e.g., a personal data assistant), anentertainment device (e.g., a music or video device, or a satelliteradio), a gaming device or system, a global positioning system device,or any other suitable device that is configured to communicate via awireless medium.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 100 inwhich aspects of the present disclosure can be employed. The wirelesscommunication system 100 can operate pursuant to a wireless standard,for example the 802.11ax standard. The wireless communication system 100can include an AP 104, which communicates with STAs 106A-106D.

A variety of processes and methods can be used for transmissions in thewireless communication system 100 between the AP 104 and the STAs106A-106D. For example, signals can be transmitted and received betweenthe AP 104 and the STAs 106A-106D in accordance with OFDM/OFDMAtechniques. If this is the case, the wireless communication system 100can be referred to as an OFDM/OFDMA system. Alternatively, signals canbe transmitted and received between the AP 104 and the STAs 106A-106D inaccordance with code division multiple access (CDMA) techniques. If thisis the case, the wireless communication system 100 can be referred to asa CDMA system.

A communication link that facilitates transmission from the AP 104 toone or more of the STAs 106A-106D can be referred to as a downlink (DL)108, and a communication link that facilitates transmission from one ormore of the STAs 106A-106D to the AP 104 can be referred to as an uplink(UL) 110. Alternatively, a downlink 108 can be referred to as a forwardlink or a forward channel, and an uplink 110 can be referred to as areverse link or a reverse channel.

The AP 104 can provide wireless communication coverage in a basicservice area (BSA) 102. The AP 104 along with the STAs 106A-106Dassociated with the AP 104 and that use the AP 104 for communication canbe referred to as a basic service set (BSS). It should be noted that thewireless communication system 100 may not have a central AP 104, butrather can function as a peer-to-peer network between the STAs106A-106D. Accordingly, the functions of the AP 104 described herein canalternatively be performed by one or more of the STAs 106A-106D.

FIG. 2 illustrates various components that can be utilized in a wirelessdevice 202 that can be employed within the wireless communication system100. The wireless device 202 is an example of a device that can beconfigured to implement the various methods described herein. Forexample, the wireless device 202 can comprise the AP 104 or one of theSTAs 106A-106D.

The wireless device 202 can include a processor 204 which controlsoperation of the wireless device 202. The processor 204 can also bereferred to as a central processing unit (CPU). Memory 206, which caninclude both read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM),provides instructions and data to the processor 204. A portion of thememory 206 can also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM).The processor 204 typically performs logical and arithmetic operationsbased on program instructions stored within the memory 206. Theinstructions in the memory 206 can be executable to implement themethods described herein.

The processor 204 can comprise or be a component of a processing systemimplemented with one or more processors. The one or more processors canbe implemented with any combination of general-purpose microprocessors,microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmablegate array (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers,state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware components, dedicatedhardware finite state machines, or any other suitable entities that canperform calculations or other manipulations of information.

The processing system can also include machine-readable media forstoring software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean any typeof instructions, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware,microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. Instructions caninclude code (e.g., in source code format, binary code format,executable code format, or any other suitable format of code). Theinstructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause theprocessing system to perform the various functions described herein.

The wireless device 202 can also include a housing 208 that can includea transmitter 210 and a receiver 212 to allow transmission and receptionof data between the wireless device 202 and a remote location. Thetransmitter 210 and receiver 212 can be combined into a transceiver 214.An antenna 216 can be attached to the housing 208 and electricallycoupled to the transceiver 214. The wireless device 202 can also include(not shown) multiple transmitters, multiple receivers, multipletransceivers, and/or multiple antennas, which can be utilized duringMIMO communications, for example.

The wireless device 202 can also include a signal detector 218 that canbe used in an effort to detect and quantify the level of signalsreceived by the transceiver 214. The signal detector 218 can detect suchsignals as total energy, energy per subcarrier per symbol, powerspectral density and other signals. The wireless device 202 can alsoinclude a digital signal processor (DSP) 220 for use in processingsignals. The DSP 220 can be configured to generate a data unit fortransmission. In some aspects, the data unit can comprise a physicallayer data unit (PPDU). In some aspects, the PPDU is referred to as apacket.

The wireless device 202 can further comprise a user interface 222 insome aspects. The user interface 222 can comprise a keypad, amicrophone, a speaker, and/or a display. The user interface 222 caninclude any element or component that conveys information to a user ofthe wireless device 202 and/or receives input from the user.

The various components of the wireless device 202 can be coupledtogether by a bus system 226. The bus system 226 can include a data bus,for example, as well as a power bus, a control signal bus, and a statussignal bus in addition to the data bus. Those of skill in the art willappreciate the components of the wireless device 202 can be coupledtogether or accept or provide inputs to each other using some othermechanism.

Although a number of separate components are illustrated in FIG. 2,those of skill in the art will recognize that one or more of thecomponents can be combined or commonly implemented. For example, theprocessor 204 can be used to implement not only the functionalitydescribed above with respect to the processor 204, but also to implementthe functionality described above with respect to the signal detector218 and/or the DSP 220. Further, each of the components illustrated inFIG. 2 can be implemented using a plurality of separate elements.

As discussed above, the wireless device 202 can comprise an AP 104 or anSTA 106A, and can be used to transmit and/or receive communications. Thecommunications exchanged between devices in a wireless network caninclude data units which can comprise packets or frames. In someaspects, the data units can include data frames, control frames, and/ormanagement frames. Data frames can be used for transmitting data from anAP and/or a STA to other APs and/or STAs. Control frames can be usedtogether with data frames for performing various operations and forreliably delivering data (e.g., acknowledging receipt of data, pollingof APs, area-clearing operations, channel acquisition, carrier-sensingmaintenance functions, etc.). Management frames can be used for varioussupervisory functions (e.g., for joining and departing from wirelessnetworks, etc.).

Certain aspects of the present disclosure support allowing APs 104 toallocate STAs 106A-106D transmissions in optimized ways to improveefficiency. Both high efficiency wireless (HEW) stations, stationsutilizing an 802.11 high efficiency protocol (such as 802.11ax), andstations using older or legacy 802.11 protocols (such as 802.11b), cancompete or coordinate with each other in accessing a wireless medium. Insome embodiments, the high-efficiency 802.11 protocol described hereincan allow for HEW and legacy stations to interoperate according tovarious OFDMA tone plans (which can also be referred to as tone maps).In some embodiments, HEW stations can access the wireless medium in amore efficient manner, such as by using multiple access techniques inOFDMA. Accordingly, in the case of apartment buildings ordensely-populated public spaces, APs and/or STAs that use thehigh-efficiency 802.11 protocol can experience reduced latency andincreased network throughput even as the number of active wirelessdevices increases, thereby improving user experience.

In some embodiments, APs 104 can transmit on a wireless medium accordingto various DL tone plans for HEW STAs. For example, with respect to FIG.1, the STAs 106A-106D can be HEW STAs. In some embodiments, the HEW STAscan communicate using a symbol duration four times that of a legacy STA.Accordingly, each symbol which is transmitted may be four times as longin duration. When using a longer symbol duration, each of the individualtones may only require one-quarter as much bandwidth to be transmitted.For example, in various embodiments, a 1× symbol duration can be 4 msand a 4× symbol duration can be 16 ms. The AP 104 can transmit messagesto the HEW STAs 106A-106D according to one or more tone plans, based ona communication bandwidth. In some aspects, the AP 104 may be configuredto transmit to multiple HEW STAs simultaneously, using OFDMA.

Efficient Tone Plan Design

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary 2N-tone plan 300, according to one embodiment.In an embodiment, the tone plan 300 corresponds to OFDM tones, in thefrequency domain, generated using a 2N-point fast Fourier transform(FFT). The tone plan 300 includes 2N OFDM tones indexed -N to N−1. Thetone plan 300 includes two sets of guard tones 310, two sets ofdata/pilot tones 320, and a set of direct current (DC) tones 330. Invarious embodiments, the guard tones 310 and DC tones 330 can be null.In various embodiments, the tone plan 300 includes another suitablenumber of pilot tones and/or includes pilot tones at other suitable tonelocations.

Although a 2N-tone plan 300 is shown in FIG. 3, similar tone plans canbe used for any value of N (such as 32-, 48-, 64-, 96-, 128-, 192-,256-, 320-, 384-, 448-, 512-, 768-, 1024, 1280-, 1536-, 1792-, and2048-tone plans, among others). In various embodiments, each tone plancan correspond to a communication bandwidth such as, for example, 5 MHz,10 MHz, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, and 160 MHz.

In some aspects, OFDMA tone plans may be provided for transmission whichuse 4× symbol duration, as compared to various IEEE 802.11 protocols.For example, 4× symbol duration may use a number of symbols which areeach 16 ms in duration. In some aspects, OFDMA tone plans may use aminimum OFDMA allocation of 12 data tones. For example, each devicewhich is transmitting an UL OFDMA transmission or receiving a DL OFDMAtransmission may be allotted at least 12 data tones. Accordingly, bothUL and DL OFDMA allocation sizes may be 12 tones as well as existingsizes (23, 53, 108, and 234 tones) as described in the IEEE 802.11ahstandard. Further, the number of OFDMA allocation units may be capped,such as at 8 or 16 allocation units per transmission. Each user mayreceive or transmit on a maximum of two of these allocation units. Thiscap may limit signaling overhead. Further, designing a more flexibleOFDMA with sizes equivalent to multiples of 12 tones (e.g., 12, 36, or72 data tones per sub-band) may be considered.

In some aspects, OFDMA sub-bands may come in a number of differentsizes. For example, an OFDMA sub-band may have a bandwidth of 5, 10, 15,20, 30, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, or 140 MHz. Each of these differentsub-bands may have a different tone plan. Tone plans may also bedesigned with a number of other considerations. For example, a 2048-toneplan for 160 MHz may be constructed using two duplicated 1024-toneplans, which each use 80 MHz of bandwidth.

In some aspects, it may be desirable to specify tone plans which aresuitable based on a certain level of error in transmitting. For example,certain implementations of WiFi may use a transmit center frequencyerror of +/−20 parts per million (ppm), or 40 ppm total (adding togetherthe tolerable range). In a 5 MHz transmission with 4× symbol durationfrom a single user, this 40 ppm error requirement may necessitate theuse of 7 DC tones. If multiple devices transmit simultaneously, therequirement may be up to 80 ppm, as the errors of each device may beadditive with each other. Accordingly, in an 80 ppm (+/−40 ppm)scenario, 11 DC tones may be needed. If frequency pre-correction and/orfiner ppm requirements are used, such as 10 ppm, 3 or 5 DC tones may beused for 4× symbol duration transmissions. Thus, the number of DC toneswhich are used may be based, at least in part, on the level of carrierfrequency offset which is allowed in transmission.

In some aspects, packing efficiencies may be different in differentcases for OFDMA transmissions. For example, an OFDMA allocationbandwidth (in number of FFT tones) may vary based on different totalbandwidths (in FFT size). For example, a 5 MHz portion of bandwidth maybe able to carry a different number of data tones if that 5 MHz portionis being transmitted by a single user, or if it is being transmitted ina part of an OFDMA transmission with different total bandwidths.

A number of pilot or guard tones may also vary depending on the type oftransmission. For example, a DL transmission may use common pilot tonesif transmission beamforming is not used, as each device receiving the DLtransmission may use the same pilot tones from the transmitting device.However, an UL transmission which is being transmitted by a number ofdevices may need dedicated pilot tones for each transmitting device.Further, UL transmissions may prefer having a number of guard tonesbetween different OFDMA users, as the transmissions from differentdevices may not be completely orthogonal to each other. In a DLtransmission, this may not be a problem, and these additional guardtones may not be needed. Further, a DL transmission may follow awideband mask, while an UL transmission should obey a sub-band mask foreach STA. Accordingly, the number of guard tones needed may vary betweenUL and DL transmissions.

Further, in order to be useful, tone plans may also need to satisfycertain BCC (binary convolutional code) interleaving, LDPC (low-densityparity check) tone mapping distance designs as well as be valid for anumber of different possible modulation and coding schemes (MCS).Generally, in choosing a tone plan, it may be beneficial to first obtainthe upper bound of the number of data tones (Ndata) with the minimumnumber of DC, guard, and pilot tones for each of the desired bandwidths.Next, it may be beneficial to obtain the upper bound of the number ofdata tones, Ndata, for each sub-band bandwidth when is it an OFDMAallocation, or when it is the entire bandwidth for a single user (SU).

Next, it may be useful to determine the feasible number of data tones(Ndata) subject to the upper bounds and to certain other criteria.First, the divisors of Ndata may be used for BCC interleaving depthN_(COL). Next, divisors of Ndata may also be used as LDPC tone mappingdistance D_(TM) that are in between the ones for existing tone plans.Finally, it may be beneficial is the number of excluded combinations ofMCS and number of data streams is kept relatively small. Generally, ifthere are left-over tones after this tone mapping, they may be used asextra DC, guard, or pilot tones. For example, leftover tones may be usedas DC tones to satisfy carrier frequency offset (CFO) requirements,extra guard tones to meet DL/UL spectral mask requirements and tominimize interference between different STAs in an UL transmission, andleftover tones may be used as additional pilot tones to ensure enoughpilot tones are provided for each OFDMA user. Because of these varioususes of leftover tones, it may be desirable to have a number of leftovertones. Generally, each of the proposed tone plans herein may be used foreither UL or DL OFDMA transmissions, subject to their number of pilottones requirements.

FIG. 4 shows upper bounds for 64-, 128-, 256-, 512-, and 1024-tone plansaccording to various embodiments when there is a single user. Inparticular, FIG. 4 shows upper bounds to the number of data tones(Ndata) for 64-, 128-, 256-, 512-, and 1024-tone plans in embodimentshaving 1, 3, 5, 7, or 11 DC tones, according to the bandwidth used.These upper bounds also use the minimum number of guard tones and pilottones possible. For example, if the FFT size is 64, and there is one DCtone, 7 guard tones, and 4 pilot tones, this leaves 52 other tones whichmay be used as data tones.

FIG. 5A shows upper bounds for 64-tone, 5 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments. For example, with a single user, if 1 DC tones isused, there may be 52 data tones. If 3 DC tones are used, there may be50 data tones for a single user. If 5 DC tones are used, there may be 48data tones for a single user. If 7 DC tones are used, there may be 46data tones for a single user. In an OFDMA transmission with a differenttotal bandwidth, the number of data tones which may use may bedifferent. In a 20 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a5 MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may be Floor(234/4)=58. In thiscalculation, 234 is the upper bound of Ndata in a 20 MHz transmissionwith 3 DC tones, as shown in FIG. 4. Accordingly, each of the four 5 MHzportions of the 20 MHz transmission may have up to one-quarter, roundeddown, data tones. In a 20 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 5 MHz portion when there are 5 DC tones may beFloor(232/4)=58. In a 20 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 5 MHz portion when there are 7 DC tones may beFloor(230/4)=57.

In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 5 MHzportion when there are 3 DC tones may be Floor(486/8)=60. In a 40 MHzOFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 5 MHz portion whenthere are 5 DC tones may be Floor(484/8)=60. In a 40 MHz OFDMAtransmission, the number of data tones in a 5 MHz portion when there are7 DC tones may be Floor(482/8)=60. In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission, thenumber of data tones in a 5 MHz portion when there are 11 DC tones maybe Floor(478/8)=59.

In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 5MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may be Floor(998/16)=62. In a 80or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 5 MHzportion when there are 5 DC tones may be Floor(996/16)=62. In a 80 or160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 5 MHz portionwhen there are 7 DC tones may be Floor(994/16)=62. In a 80 or 160 MHzOFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 5 MHz portion whenthere are 11 DC tones may be Floor(990/16)=61. Accordingly, the unifiedupper bound for a 64-tone transmission may be 62 data tones. This is thehighest number of data tones possible, in any of the listedconfigurations.

FIG. 5B shows gain from any of the feasible 5 MHz tone plans over otherpossible tone plans, including some existing tone plans. For example,using 50 data tones may represent a 4.17% gain over 48 data tones, but a3.85% loss over 52 data tones. Using 54 data tones may represent a 12.5%gain over 48 data tones and a 3.85% gain over 52 data tones. Using 56data tones may represent a 16.67% gain over 48 data tones and a 7.69%gain over 52 data tones. Using 58 data tones may represent a 20.83% gainover 48 data tones and a 11.54% gain over 52 data tones. Using 60 datatones may represent a 25% gain over 48 data tones and a 15.38% gain over52 data tones. Using 62 data tones may represent a 29.17% gain over 48data tones and a 19.23% gain over 52 data tones.

FIG. 6A shows upper bounds for 128-tone, 10 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments. For example, with a single user, if 3 DC tones areused, there may be 108 data tones. If 5 DC tones are used, there may be106A data tones for a single user. If 7 DC tones are used, there may be104 data tones for a single user. In an OFDMA transmission with adifferent total bandwidth, the number of data tones which may use may bedifferent. In a 20 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a10 MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may be Floor(234/2)=117. In a20 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 10 MHz portionwhen there are 5 DC tones may be Floor(232/2)=116. In a 20 MHz OFDMAtransmission, the number of data tones in a 10 MHz portion when thereare 7 DC tones may be Floor(230/2)=115.

In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 10 MHzportion when there are 3 DC tones may be Floor(486/4)=121. In a 40 MHzOFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 10 MHz portion whenthere are 5 DC tones may be Floor(484/4)=121. In a 40 MHz OFDMAtransmission, the number of data tones in a 10 MHz portion when thereare 7 DC tones may be Floor(482/4)=120. In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission,the number of data tones in a 10 MHz portion when there are 11 DC tonesmay be Floor(478/4)=119.

In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 10MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may be Floor(998/8)=124. In a 80or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 10 MHzportion when there are 5 DC tones may be Floor(996/8)=124. In a 80 or160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 10 MHz portionwhen there are 7 DC tones may be Floor(994/8)=124. In a 80 or 160 MHzOFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 10 MHz portion whenthere are 11 DC tones may be Floor(990/8)=123. Accordingly, the unifiedupper bound for a 128-tone transmission may be 124 data tones. This isthe highest number of data tones possible, in any of the listedconfigurations.

FIG. 6B shows gain from any of the feasible 10 MHz tone plans over otherpossible tone plans, including some existing tone plans. For example,using 110 data tones may represent a 1.85% gain over 108 data tones.Using 112 data tones may represent a 3.70% gain over 108 data tones.Using 114 data tones may represent a 5.56% gain over 108 data tones.Using 116 data tones may represent a 7.41% gain over 108 data tones.Using 118 data tones may represent a 9.26% gain over 108 data tones.Using 120 data tones may represent a 11.11% gain over 108 data tones.Using 122 data tones may represent a 12.96% gain over 108 data tones.Using 124 data tones may represent a 14.81% gain over 108 data tones.

FIG. 7A shows upper bounds for 192-tone, 15 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments. Generally, 15 MHz may not be used by a single user.In an OFDMA transmission with a different total bandwidth, the number ofdata tones which may use may be different. In a 20 MHz OFDMAtransmission, the number of data tones in a 15 MHz portion when thereare 3 DC tones may be Floor(234*3/4)=175. In a 20 MHz OFDMAtransmission, the number of data tones in a 15 MHz portion when thereare 5 DC tones may be Floor(232*3/4)=174. In a 20 MHz OFDMAtransmission, the number of data tones in a 15 MHz portion when thereare 7 DC tones may be Floor(230*3/4)=172.

In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 15 MHzportion when there are 3 DC tones may be Floor(488*3/8)=183. In a 40 MHzOFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 15 MHz portion whenthere are 5 DC tones may be Floor(486*3/8)=182. In a 40 MHz OFDMAtransmission, the number of data tones in a 15 MHz portion when thereare 7 DC tones may be Floor(484*3/8)=181. In a 40 MHz OFDMAtransmission, the number of data tones in a 15 MHz portion when thereare 11 DC tones may be Floor(480*3/8)=180.

In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 15MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may be Floor(998*3/16)=187. In a80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 15 MHzportion when there are 5 DC tones may be Floor(996*3/16)=186. In a 80 or160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 15 MHz portionwhen there are 7 DC tones may be Floor(994*3/16)=186. In a 80 or 160 MHzOFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 15 MHz portion whenthere are 11 DC tones may be Floor(990*3/16)=185. Accordingly, theunified upper bound for a 192-tone transmission may be 187 data tones.This is the highest number of data tones possible, in any of the listedconfigurations.

FIG. 7B shows gain from any of the feasible 15 MHz tone plans over otherpossible tone plans, including some existing tone plans. For example,using 168 data tones may represent a 10.16% loss compared to 187 datatones. Using 170 data tones may represent a 9.09% loss compared to 187data tones. Using 172 data tones may represent a 8.02% loss compared to187 data tones. Using 174 data tones may represent a 6.95% loss comparedto 187 data tones. Using 176 data tones may represent a 5.88% losscompared to 187 data tones. Using 178 data tones may represent a 4.81%loss compared to 187 data tones. Using 180 data tones may represent a3.74% loss compared to 187 data tones. Using 182 data tones mayrepresent a 2.67% loss compared to 187 data tones. Using 184 data tonesmay represent a 1.60% loss compared to 187 data tones. Using 186 datatones may represent a 0.53% loss compared to 187 data tones.

FIG. 8A shows upper bounds for 256-tone, 20 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments. For example, with a single user, if 3 DC tones areused, there may be 234 data tones. If 5 DC tones are used, there may be232 data tones for a single user. If 7 DC tones are used, there may be230 data tones for a single user. In an OFDMA transmission with adifferent total bandwidth, the number of data tones which may use may bedifferent. In a 20 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a20 MHz portion (that is, the entire transmission) when there are 3 DCtones may be 234. In a 20 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 20 MHz portion when there are 5 DC tones may be 232. In a 20MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 20 MHz portionwhen there are 7 DC tones may be 230.

In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 20 MHzportion when there are 3 DC tones may be Floor(486/2)=243. In a 40 MHzOFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 20 MHz portion whenthere are 5 DC tones may be Floor(484/2)=242. In a 40 MHz OFDMAtransmission, the number of data tones in a 20 MHz portion when thereare 7 DC tones may be Floor(482/2)=241. In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission,the number of data tones in a 20 MHz portion when there are 11 DC tonesmay be Floor(478/2)=239.

In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 20MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may be Floor(998/4)=249. In a 80or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 20 MHzportion when there are 5 DC tones may be Floor(996/4)=249. In a 80 or160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 20 MHz portionwhen there are 7 DC tones may be Floor(994/4)=248. In a 80 or 160 MHzOFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 20 MHz portion whenthere are 11 DC tones may be Floor(990/4)=247. Accordingly, the unifiedupper bound for a 256-tone transmission may be 249 data tones. This isthe highest number of data tones possible, in any of the listedconfigurations.

FIG. 8B shows gain from any of the feasible 20 MHz tone plans over otherpossible tone plans, including some existing tone plans. For example,using 236 data tones may represent a 0.85% gain over 234 data tones.Using 238 data tones may represent a 1.71% gain over 234 data tones.Using 240 data tones may represent a 2.56% gain over 234 data tones.Using 242 data tones may represent a 3.42% gain over 234 data tones.Using 244 data tones may represent a 4.27% gain over 234 data tones.Using 246 data tones may represent a 5.13% gain over 234 data tones.Using 248 data tones may represent a 5.98% gain over 234 data tones.

FIG. 9A shows upper bounds for 384-tone, 30 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments. In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 30 MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may beFloor(488*3/4)=366. In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 30 MHz portion when there are 5 DC tones may beFloor(486*3/4)=364. In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 30 MHz portion when there are 7 DC tones may beFloor(484*3/4)=363. In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 30 MHz portion when there are 11 DC tones may beFloor(480*3/4)=360.

In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 30MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may be Floor(998*3/8)=374. In a 80or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 30 MHzportion when there are 5 DC tones may be Floor(996*3/8)=373. In a 80 or160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 30 MHz portionwhen there are 7 DC tones may be Floor(994*3/8)=372. In a 80 or 160 MHzOFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 30 MHz portion whenthere are 11 DC tones may be Floor(990*3/8)=371. Accordingly, theunified upper bound for a 384-tone transmission may be 374 data tones.This is the highest number of data tones possible, in any of the listedconfigurations.

FIG. 9B shows gain from any of the feasible 30 MHz tone plans over otherpossible tone plans, including some existing tone plans. For example,using 350 data tones may represent a 6.42% loss compared to using 374data tones. Using 352 data tones may represent a 5.88% loss compared tousing 374 data tones. Using 354 data tones may represent a 5.35% losscompared to using 374 data tones. Using 356 data tones may represent a4.81% loss compared to using 374 data tones. Using 357 data tones mayrepresent a 4.55% loss compared to using 374 data tones. Using 358 datatones may represent a 4.28% loss compared to using 374 data tones. Using360 data tones may represent a 3.74% loss compared to using 374 datatones. Using 364 data tones may represent a 2.67% loss compared to using374 data tones. Using 366 data tones may represent a 2.14% loss comparedto using 374 data tones. Using 368 data tones may represent a 1.60% losscompared to using 374 data tones. Using 370 data tones may represent a1.07% loss compared to using 374 data tones. Using 372 data tones mayrepresent a 0.53% loss compared to using 374 data tones.

FIG. 10A shows upper bounds for 512-tone, 40 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments. For example, with a single user, if 3 DC tones isused, there may be 498 data tones. If 5 DC tones are used, there may be484 data tones for a single user. If 7 DC tones are used, there may be482 data tones for a single user. If 11 DC tones are used, there may be478 data tones for a single user. Similarly, in an OFDMA transmissionwith 40 MHz total bandwidth, the same number of data tones may be used.

In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 40MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may be Floor(998/2)=499. In a 80or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 40 MHzportion when there are 5 DC tones may be Floor(996/2)=498. In a 80 or160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 40 MHz portionwhen there are 7 DC tones may be Floor(994/2)=497. In a 80 or 160 MHzOFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 40 MHz portion whenthere are 11 DC tones may be Floor(990/2)=495. Accordingly, the unifiedupper bound for a 512-tone transmission may be 499 data tones. This isthe highest number of data tones possible, in any of the listedconfigurations.

FIG. 10B shows gain from any of the feasible 40 MHz tone plans overother possible tone plans, including some existing tone plans. Forexample, using 470 data tones may represent a 0.43% gain over 468 datatones. Using 472 data tones may represent a 0.85% gain over 468 datatones. Using 474 data tones may represent a 1.28% gain over 468 datatones. Using 476 data tones may represent a 1.71% gain over 468 datatones. Using 478 data tones may represent a 2.14% gain over 468 datatones. Using 480 data tones may represent a 2.56% gain over 468 datatones. Using 484 data tones may represent a 3.42% gain over 468 datatones. Using 486 data tones may represent a 3.85% gain over 468 datatones. Using 488 data tones may represent a 4.27% gain over 468 datatones. Using 490 data tones may represent a 4.70% gain over 468 datatones. Using 492 data tones may represent a 5.13% gain over 468 datatones. Using 496 data tones may represent a 5.98% gain over 468 datatones. Using 498 data tones may represent a 6.41% gain over 468 datatones.

FIG. 11A shows upper bounds for 768-tone, 60 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the numberof data tones in a 60 MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may beFloor(998*3/4)=748. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number ofdata tones in a 60 MHz portion when there are 5 DC tones may beFloor(996*3/4)=747. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number ofdata tones in a 60 MHz portion when there are 7 DC tones may beFloor(994*3/4)=745. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number ofdata tones in a 60 MHz portion when there are 11 DC tones may beFloor(990*3/4)=742. Accordingly, the unified upper bound for a 768-tonetransmission may be 748 data tones. This is the highest number of datatones possible, in any of the listed configurations.

FIG. 11B shows gain from any of the feasible 60 MHz tone plans overother possible tone plans, including some existing tone plans. Forexample, using 732 data tones may represent a 2.14% loss compared tousing 478 data tones. Using 738 data tones may represent a 1.34% losscompared to using 478 data tones. Using 740 data tones may represent a1.07% loss compared to using 478 data tones. Using 744 data tones mayrepresent a 0.53% loss compared to using 478 data tones.

FIG. 12A shows upper bounds for 1024-tone, 80 MHz tone plans accordingto various embodiments. For example, with a single user, if 3 DC tonesare used, there may be 998 data tones. If 5 DC tones are used, there maybe 996 data tones for a single user. If 7 DC tones are used, there maybe 994 data tones for a single user. If 11 DC tones are used, there maybe 990 data tones for a single user. Similarly, in an 80 or 160 MHzOFDMA transmission, the same upper bounds may apply. Accordingly, theunified upper bound for a 1024-tone transmission may be 998 data tones.This is the highest number of data tones possible, in any of the listedconfigurations.

FIG. 12B shows gain from any of the feasible 80 MHz tone plans overother possible tone plans, including some existing tone plans. Forexample, using 948 data tones may represent a 1.28% gain over 936 datatones. Using 960 data tones may represent a 2.56% gain over 936 datatones. Using 972 data tones may represent a 4.06% gain over 936 datatones. Using 980 data tones may represent a 4.70% gain over 936 datatones. Using 984 data tones may represent a 5.13% gain over 936 datatones. Using 990 data tones may represent a 5.77% gain over 936 datatones. Using 996 data tones may represent a 6.41% gain over 936 datatones.

FIG. 13A shows upper bounds for 1280-tone, 100 MHz tone plans accordingto various embodiments. In a 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number ofdata tones in a 100 MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may beFloor(998*5/4)=1247. In a 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 100 MHz portion when there are 5 DC tones may beFloor(996*5/4)=1245. In a 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 100 MHz portion when there are 7 DC tones may beFloor(994*5/4)=1242. In a 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 100 MHz portion when there are 11 DC tones may beFloor(990*5/4)=1237. Accordingly, the unified upper bound for a1280-tone transmission may be 1247 data tones. This is the highestnumber of data tones possible, in any of the listed configurations.

FIG. 13B shows gain from any of the feasible 100 MHz tone plans overother possible tone plans, including some existing tone plans. Forexample, using 1200 data tones may represent a 3.77% loss compared tousing 1247 data tones. Using 1206 data tones may represent a 3.29% losscompared to using 1247 data tones. Using 116 data tones may represent a7.41% gain over 108 data tones. Using 118 data tones may represent a9.26% gain over 108 data tones. Using 120 data tones may represent a11.11% gain over 108 data tones. Using 122 data tones may represent a12.96% gain over 108 data tones. Using 124 data tones may represent a14.81% gain over 108 data tones.

FIG. 14A shows upper bounds for 1536-tone, 120 MHz tone plans accordingto various embodiments. In a 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number ofdata tones in a 120 MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may beFloor(998*3/2)=1497. In a 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 120 MHz portion when there are 5 DC tones may beFloor(996*3/2)=1494. In a 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 120 MHz portion when there are 7 DC tones may beFloor(994*3/2)=1491. In a 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 120 MHz portion when there are 11 DC tones may beFloor(990*3/2)=1485. Accordingly, the unified upper bound for a1536-tone transmission may be 1497 data tones. This is the highestnumber of data tones possible, in any of the listed configurations.

FIG. 14B shows gain from any of the feasible 120 MHz tone plans overother possible tone plans, including some existing tone plans. Forexample, using 1420 data tones may represent a 5.14% loss compared tousing 1497 data tones. Using 1422 data tones may represent a 5.01% losscompared to using 1497 data tones. Using 1424 data tones may represent a4.88% loss compared to using 1497 data tones. Using 1426 data tones mayrepresent a 4.74% loss compared to using 1497 data tones. Using 1428data tones may represent a 4.61% loss compared to using 1497 data tones.Using 1430 data tones may represent a 4.48% loss compared to using 1497data tones. Using 1432 data tones may represent a 4.34% loss compared tousing 1497 data tones. Using 1434 data tones may represent a 4.21% losscompared to using 1497 data tones. Using 1436 data tones may represent a4.07% loss compared to using 1497 data tones. Using 1438 data tones mayrepresent a 3.94% loss compared to using 1497 data tones. Using 1440data tones may represent a 3.81% loss compared to using 1497 data tones.Using 1452 data tones may represent a 3.01% loss compared to using 1497data tones. Using 1464 data tones may represent a 2.20% loss compared tousing 1497 data tones. Using 1470 data tones may represent a 1.80% losscompared to using 1497 data tones. Using 1485 data tones may represent a0.80% loss compared to using 1497 data tones. Using 1488 data tones mayrepresent a 0.60% loss compared to using 1497 data tones. Using 1491data tones may represent a 0.40% loss compared to using 1497 data tones.

FIG. 15A shows upper bounds for 1792-tone, 140 MHz tone plans accordingto various embodiments. In a 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number ofdata tones in a 140 MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may beFloor(998*7/4)=1746. In a 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 140 MHz portion when there are 5 DC tones may beFloor(996*7/4)=1743. In a 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 140 MHz portion when there are 7 DC tones may beFloor(994*7/4)=1739. In a 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 140 MHz portion when there are 11 DC tones may beFloor(990*7/4)=1732. Accordingly, the unified upper bound for a1792-tone transmission may be 1746 data tones. This is the highestnumber of data tones possible, in any of the listed configurations.

FIG. 15B shows gain from any of the feasible 140 MHz tone plans overother possible tone plans, including some existing tone plans. Forexample, using 1660 data tones may represent a 4.93% loss compared tousing 1746 data tones. Using 1664 data tones may represent a 4.70% losscompared to using 1746 data tones. Using 1668 data tones may represent a4.47% loss compared to using 1746 data tones. Using 1672 data tones mayrepresent a 4.24% loss compared to using 1746 data tones. Using 1680data tones may represent a 3.78% loss compared to using 1746 data tones.Using 1688 data tones may represent a 3.32% loss compared to using 1746data tones. Using 1692 data tones may represent a 3.09% loss compared tousing 1746 data tones. Using 1696 data tones may represent a 2.86% losscompared to using 1746 data tones. Using 1700 data tones may represent a2.63% loss compared to using 1746 data tones. Using 1704 data tones mayrepresent a 2.41% loss compared to using 1746 data tones. Using 1708data tones may represent a 2.18% loss compared to using 1746 data tones.Using 1710 data tones may represent a 2.06% loss compared to using 1746data tones. Using 1712 data tones may represent a 1.95% loss compared tousing 1746 data tones. Using 1716 data tones may represent a 1.72% losscompared to using 1746 data tones. Using 1720 data tones may represent a1.49% loss compared to using 1746 data tones. Using 1728 data tones mayrepresent a 1.03% loss compared to using 1746 data tones. Using 1740data tones may represent a 0.34% loss compared to using 1746 data tones.Using 1745 data tones may represent a 0.06% loss compared to using 1746data tones.

FIG. 16 shows a system 1000 that is operable to generate interleavingparameters for orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA)tone plans, according to an embodiment. The system 1000 includes a firstdevice (e.g., a source device) 1010 configured to wirelessly communicatewith a plurality of other devices (e.g., destination devices) 1020,1030, and 1040 via a wireless network 1050. In alternate embodiments, adifferent number of source devices destination devices can be present inthe system 1000. In various embodiments, the source device 1010 caninclude the AP 104 (FIG. 1) and the other devices 1020, 1030, and 1040can include STAs 106A-106D (FIG. 1). The system 1000 can include thesystem 100 (FIG. 1). In various embodiments, any of the devices 1010,1020, 1030, and 1040 can include the wireless device 202 (FIG. 2).

In a particular embodiment, the wireless network 1050 is an IEEE 802.11wireless network (e.g., a Wi-Fi network). For example, the wirelessnetwork 61050 can operate in accordance with an IEEE 802.11 standard. Ina particular embodiment, the wireless network 1050 supports multipleaccess communication. For example, the wireless network 1050 can supportcommunication of a single packet 1060 to each of the destination devices1020, 1030, and 1040, where the single packet 1060 includes individualdata portions directed to each of the destination devices. In oneexample, the packet 1060 can be an OFDMA packet, as further describedherein.

The source device 1010 can be an access point (AP) or other deviceconfigured to generate and transmit multiple access packet(s) tomultiple destination devices. In a particular embodiment, the sourcedevice 1010 includes a processor 1011 (e.g., a central processing unit(CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a network processing unit(NPU), etc.), a memory 1012 (e.g., a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), etc.), and a wireless interface 1015 configuredto send and receive data via the wireless network 1050. The memory 1012can store binary convolutional code (BCC) interleaving parameters 1013used by an interleaving system 1014 to interleave data according to thetechniques described with respect to an interleaving system 1014 of FIG.17.

As used herein, a “tone” can represent a frequency or set of frequencies(e.g., a frequency range) within which data can be communicated. A tonecan alternately be referred to as a subcarrier. A “tone” can thus be afrequency domain unit, and a packet can span multiple tones. In contrastto tones, a “symbol” can be a time domain unit, and a packet can span(e.g., include) multiple symbols, each symbol having a particularduration. A wireless packet can thus be visualized as a two-dimensionalstructure that spans a frequency range (e.g., tones) and a time period(e.g., symbols).

As an example, a wireless device can receive a packet via an 80megahertz (MHz) wireless channel (e.g., a channel having 80 MHzbandwidth). The wireless device can perform a 512-point FFT to determine512 tones in the packet. A subset of the tones can be considered“useable” and the remaining tones can be considered “unusable” (e.g.,can be guard tones, direct current (DC) tones, etc.). To illustrate, 496of the 512 tones can be useable, including 474 data tones and 22 pilottones. As another example, there can be 476 data tones and 20 pilottones. It should be noted that the aforementioned channel bandwidths,transforms, and tone plans are just examples. In alternate embodiments,different channel bandwidths (e.g., 5 MHz, 6 MHz, 6.5 MHz, 40 MHz, 80MHz, etc.), different transforms (e.g., 256-point FFT, 1024-point FFT,etc.), and/or different tone plans can be used.

In a particular embodiment, a packet can include different block sizes(e.g., a different number of data tones per sub-band) that aretransmitted over one or more spatial streams. For example, the packetcan include 12 data tones per sub-band, 36 data tones per sub-band, 72data tones per sub-band, 120 data tones per sub-band, 156 data tones persub-band, or 312 data tones per sub-band. Interleave depths, interleaverotation indexes, and base subcarrier rotations combinations can beprovided for each block size.

In a particular embodiment, the interleaving parameters 1013 can be usedby the interleaving system 1014 during generation of the multiple accesspacket 1060 to determine which data tones of the packet 1060 areassigned to individual destination devices. For example, the packet 1060can include distinct sets of tones allocated to each individualdestination device 1020, 1030, and 1040. To illustrate, the packet 1060can utilize interleaved tone allocation.

The destination devices 1020, 1030, and 1040 can each include aprocessor (e.g., a processor 1021), a memory (e.g., a memory 1022), anda wireless interface (e.g., a wireless interface 1025). The destinationdevices 1020, 1030, and 1040 can also each include a deinterleavingsystem 1024 configured to deinterleave packets (e.g., single accesspackets or multiple access packets), as described with reference to aMIMO detector 1118 of FIG. 17. In one example, the memory 1022 can storeinterleaving parameters 1023 identical to the interleaving parameters1013.

During operation, the source device 1010 can generate and transmit thepacket 1060 to each of the destination devices 1020, 1030, and 1040 viathe wireless network 1050. The packet 1060 can include distinct sets ofdata tones that are allocated to each individual destination deviceaccording to an interleaved pattern.

The system 1000 of FIG. 16 can thus provide OFDMA data tone interleavingparameters for use by source devices and destination devices tocommunicate over an IEEE 802.11 wireless network. For example, theinterleaving parameters 1013, 1023 (or portions thereof) can be storedin a memory of the source and destination devices, as shown, can bestandardized by a wireless standard (e.g., an IEEE 802.11 standard),etc. It should be noted that various data tone plans described hereincan be applicable for both downlink (DL) as well as uplink (UL) OFDMAcommunication.

For example, the source device 1010 (e.g., an access point) can receivesignal(s) via the wireless network 1050. The signal(s) can correspond toan uplink packet. In the packet, distinct sets of tones can be allocatedto, and carry uplink data transmitted by, each of the destinationdevices (e.g., mobile stations) 1020, 1030, and 1040.

FIG. 17 shows an exemplary multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) system1100 that can be implemented in wireless devices, such as the wirelessdevice of FIG. 16, to transmit and receive wireless communications. Thesystem 1100 includes the first device 1010 of FIG. 16 and thedestination device 1020 of FIG. 16.

The first device 1010 includes an encoder 1104, the interleaving system1014, a plurality of modulators 1102 a-1102 c, a plurality oftransmission (TX) circuits 1110 a-1110 c, and a plurality of antennas1112 a-1112 c. The destination device 1020 includes a plurality ofantennas 1114 a-1114 c, a plurality of receive (RX) circuits 1116 a-1116c, a MIMO detector 1118, and a decoder 1120.

A bit sequence can be provided to the encoder 1104. The encoder 1104 canbe configured to encode the bit sequence. For example, the encoder 1104can be configured to apply a forward error correcting (FEC) code to thebit sequence. The FEC code can be a block code, a convolutional code(e.g., a binary convolutional code), etc. The encoded bit sequence canbe provided to the interleaving system 1014.

The interleaving system 1014 can include a stream parser 1106A and aplurality of spatial stream interleavers 1108 a-1108 c. The streamparser 1106A can be configured to parse the encoded bit stream from theencoder 1104 to the plurality of spatial stream interleavers 1108 a-1108c.

Each interleaver 1108 a-1108 c can be configured to perform frequencyinterleaving. For example, the stream parser 1106A can output blocks ofcoded bits per symbol for each spatial stream. Each block can beinterleaved by a corresponding interleaver 1108 a-1108 c that writes torows and reads out columns. The number of columns (Ncol), or theinterleaver depth, can be based on the number of data tones (Ndata). Thenumber of rows (Nrow) can be a function of the number of columns (Ncol)and the number of data tones (Ndata). For example, the number of rows(Nrow) can be equal to the number of data tones (Ndata) divided by thenumber of columns (Ncol) (e.g., Nrow=Ndata/Ncol).

Note that the tone plan for each of the bandwidths (e.g., each of5/10/15/20/30/40/60/80/100/120/140 MHz) may be chosen based on a numberof different factors. For example, the upper bound may be determinedbased, at least in part, on whether a transmission is a single-userbandwidth or is part of an OFDMA bandwidth for a specific totalbandwidth. The tone plan may also be chosen based on the needed numberof DC tones, depending on the CFO requirement. The tone plan may also bechosen based on the needed number of guard tones in order to meet DL/ULspectral mask, and to minimize interference between transmissions of thedifferent STAs in UL OFDMA. Further, the tone plan may also be chosenbased on the number of pilot tones that are needed to ensure there areenough pilot tones for each of DL and UL OFDMA. Generally, the 160 MHz(2048FFT) tone plan may be a duplicate of two 80 MHz (1024FFT) toneplans. Because of these needs for sufficient numbers of DC, guard, andpilot tones, enough leftover tones (upper bounds minus Ndata) need to bespared. Accordingly, this may lead to the choice of Ndata.

FIG. 18 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 64-tone plan embodiment.In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., the number ofcolumns (Ncol)) can be a factor of the number of data tones (Ndata). Invarious embodiments, a 50 data tone block can have an interleaver depthof 2, 5, 10, or 25. In various embodiments, a 54 data tone block canhave an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 6, 9, 18, or 27. In variousembodiments, a 56 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4,7, 8, 14, or 28. In various embodiments, a 58 data tone block can havean interleaver depth of 2 or 29. In various embodiments, a 60 data toneblock can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, or30. In various embodiments, a 50 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2 or 31.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).

For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 1-26. The rotationindex (e.g., the 6^(th) column) can be a bit reversal of [0 2 1 3] inthis scenario. Alternatively, if the data tone block has more than 4spatial streams (Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of1-18. The rotation index (e.g., the 7th column) can be a bit reversal of[0 4 2 6 1 5 3 7] in some embodiments, or the rotation index can bechosen to maximize (or increase) an average subcarrier distance ofadjacent streams in other embodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4]).Although a rotation index of [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein as oneexample of an index maximizing average subcarrier distance, any otherrotation indexes that maximizes (or increases) average subcarrierdistance can be used. For example, any permutation which maximizes theaverage subcarrier distance of adjacent streams may be used, and [0 5 27 3 6 1 4] is only one example.

FIG. 19 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 128-tone planembodiment. In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., thenumber of columns (Ncol)) can be a factor of the number of data tones(Ndata). In various embodiments, a 110 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 5, 10, 11, 22, or 55. In various embodiments, a112 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 7, 8, 14, 16,28, or 56. In various embodiments, a 114 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 6, 19, 38, or 57. In various embodiments, a116 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 29, or 58. Invarious embodiments, a 118 data tone block can have an interleaver depthof 2 or 59. In various embodiments, a 120 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 24, 30, 40, or60. In various embodiments, a 122 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2 or 61. In various embodiments, a 124 data toneblock can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 31, or 62.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 1-42. The rotationindex (e.g., the 6^(th) column) can be a bit reversal of [0 2 1 3] inthis scenario. Alternatively, if the data tone block has more than 4spatial streams (Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of1-26. The rotation index (e.g., the 7th column) can be a bit reversal of[0 4 2 6 1 5 3 7] in some embodiments, or the rotation index can bechosen to maximize (or increase) an average subcarrier distance ofadjacent streams in other embodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4]).Although a rotation index of [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein as oneexample of an index maximizing average subcarrier distance, any otherrotation indexes that maximizes (or increases) average subcarrierdistance can be used. For example, any permutation which maximizes theaverage subcarrier distance of adjacent streams may be used, and [0 5 27 3 6 1 4] is only one example.

FIG. 20 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 192-tone planembodiment. In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., thenumber of columns (Ncol)) can be a factor of the number of data tones(Ndata). In various embodiments, a 168 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 21, 24, 28, 42, 56, or84. In various embodiments, a 170 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 5, 10, 17, 34, or 85. In various embodiments, a172 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 43, or 86. Invarious embodiments, a 174 data tone block can have an interleaver depthof 2, 3, 6, 29, 58, or 87. In various embodiments, a 176 data tone blockcan have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 8, 11, 16, 22, 44, or 88. Invarious embodiments, a 178 data tone block can have an interleaver depthof 2 or 89. In various embodiments, a 180 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 30, 36, 45,60, or 90. In various embodiments, a 182 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 7, 13, 14, 26, or 91. In various embodiments, a184 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 8, 23, 46, or92. In various embodiments, a 186 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 6, 31, 62, or 93.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).

For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 32-57. The rotationindex (e.g., the 6^(th) column) can be a bit reversal of [0 2 1 3] inthis scenario. Alternatively, if the data tone block has more than 4spatial streams (Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of1-34. The rotation index (e.g., the 7th column) can be a bit reversal of[0 4 2 6 1 5 3 7] in some embodiments, or the rotation index can bechosen to maximize (or increase) an average subcarrier distance ofadjacent streams in other embodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4]).Although a rotation index of [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein as oneexample of an index maximizing average subcarrier distance, any otherrotation indexes that maximizes (or increases) average subcarrierdistance can be used. For example, any permutation which maximizes theaverage subcarrier distance of adjacent streams may be used, and [0 5 27 3 6 1 4] is only one example.

FIG. 21 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 256-tone planembodiment. In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., thenumber of columns (Ncol)) can be a factor of the number of data tones(Ndata). In various embodiments, a 236 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 4, 59, or 118. In various embodiments, a 238data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 7, 14, 17, 34, or119. In various embodiments, a 240 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16, 20, 24, 30, 40,48, 60, 80, or 120. In various embodiments, a 242 data tone block canhave an interleaver depth of 2, 11, 22, or 121. In various embodiments,a 244 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 61, or 122.In various embodiments, a 246 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2, 3, 6, 41, 82, or 123. In various embodiments, a 248 datatone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 8, 31, 62, or 124.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).

For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 49-73. The rotationindex (e.g., the 6^(th) column) can be a bit reversal of [0 2 1 3] inthis scenario. Alternatively, if the data tone block has more than 4spatial streams (Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of1-42. The rotation index (e.g., the 7th column) can be a bit reversal of[0 4 2 6 1 5 3 7] in some embodiments, or the rotation index can bechosen to maximize (or increase) an average subcarrier distance ofadjacent streams in other embodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4]).Although a rotation index of [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein as oneexample of an index maximizing average subcarrier distance, any otherrotation indexes that maximizes (or increases) average subcarrierdistance can be used. For example, any permutation which maximizes theaverage subcarrier distance of adjacent streams may be used, and [0 5 27 3 6 1 4] is only one example.

FIG. 22 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 384-tone planembodiment. In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., thenumber of columns (Ncol)) can be a factor of the number of data tones(Ndata). In various embodiments, a 350 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 5, 7, 10, 14, 25, 35, 50, 70, or 175. In variousembodiments, a 352 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2,4, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32, 44, 88, or 176. In various embodiments, a 354 datatone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 6, 59, 118, or 177. Invarious embodiments, a 356 data tone block can have an interleaver depthof 2, 4, 89, or 178. In various embodiments, a 357 data tone block canhave an interleaver depth of 3, 7, 17, 21, 51, or 119. In variousembodiments, a 358 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2 or179. In various embodiments, a 360 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 24, 30,36, 40, 45, 60, 72, 90, 120, or 180. In various embodiments, a 364 datatone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 7, 13, 14, 26, 28, 52,91, or 182. In various embodiments, a 366 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 6, 61, 122, or 183. In various embodiments, a368 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 8, 16, 23,46, 92, or 184. In various embodiments, a 370 data tone block can havean interleaver depth of 2, 5, 10, 37, 74, or 185. In variousembodiments, a 372 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2,3, 4, 6, 12, 31, 62, 93, 124, or 186.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).

For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 77-105. The rotationindex (e.g., the 6^(th) column) can be a bit reversal of [0 2 1 3] inthis scenario. Alternatively, if the data tone block has more than 4spatial streams (Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of33-58. The rotation index (e.g., the 7th column) can be a bit reversalof [0 4 2 6 1 5 3 7] in some embodiments, or the rotation index can bechosen to maximize (or increase) an average subcarrier distance ofadjacent streams in other embodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4]).Although a rotation index of [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein as oneexample of an index maximizing average subcarrier distance, any otherrotation indexes that maximizes (or increases) average subcarrierdistance can be used. For example, any permutation which maximizes theaverage subcarrier distance of adjacent streams may be used, and [0 5 27 3 6 1 4] is only one example.

FIG. 23 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 512-tone planembodiment. In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., thenumber of columns (Ncol)) can be a factor of the number of data tones(Ndata). In various embodiments, a 470 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 5, 10, 47, 94, or 235. In various embodiments, a472 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 8, 59, 118,or 236. In various embodiments, a 474 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 6, 79, 158, or 237. In various embodiments, a476 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 7, 14, 17,28, 34, 68, 119, or 238. In various embodiments, a 478 data tone blockcan have an interleaver depth of 2 or 239. In various embodiments, a 480data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10,12, 15, 16, 20, 24, 30, 32, 40, 48, 60, 80, 96, 120, 160, or 240. Invarious embodiments, a 484 data tone block can have an interleaver depthof 2, 4, 11, 22, 44, 121, or 242. In various embodiments, a 486 datatone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 6, 9, 18, 27, 54, 81,162, or 243. In various embodiments, a 488 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 4, 8, 61, 122, or 244. In various embodiments, a490 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 5, 7, 10, 14,35, 49, 70, 98, or 245. In various embodiments, a 492 data tone blockcan have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 41, 82, 123, 164, or246. In various embodiments, a 496 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 4, 8, 16, 31, 62, 124, or 248. In variousembodiments, a 498 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2,3, 6, 83, 166, or 249.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).

For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 107-136. The rotationindex (e.g., the 6^(th) column) can be a bit reversal of [0 2 1 3] inthis scenario. Alternatively, if the data tone block has more than 4spatial streams (Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of48-73. The rotation index (e.g., the 7th column) can be a bit reversalof [0 4 2 6 1 5 3 7] in some embodiments, or the rotation index can bechosen to maximize (or increase) an average subcarrier distance ofadjacent streams in other embodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4]).Although a rotation index of [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein as oneexample of an index maximizing average subcarrier distance, any otherrotation indexes that maximizes (or increases) average subcarrierdistance can be used. For example, any permutation which maximizes theaverage subcarrier distance of adjacent streams may be used, and [0 5 27 3 6 1 4] is only one example.

FIG. 24 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 768-tone planembodiment. In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., thenumber of columns (Ncol)) can be a factor of the number of data tones(Ndata). In various embodiments, a 732 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 61, 122, 183, 244, or 366. Invarious embodiments, a 738 data tone block can have an interleaver depthof 2, 3, 6, 9, 18, 41, 82, 123, 246, or 369. In various embodiments, a740 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 5, 10, 20,37, 74, 148, 185, or 370. In various embodiments, a 744 data tone blockcan have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 31, 62, 93, 124,186, 248, or 372.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).

For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 173-199. The rotationindex (e.g., the 6^(th) column) can be a bit reversal of [0 2 1 3] inthis scenario. Alternatively, if the data tone block has more than 4spatial streams (Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of81-105. The rotation index (e.g., the 7th column) can be a bit reversalof [0 4 2 6 1 5 3 7] in some embodiments, or the rotation index can bechosen to maximize (or increase) an average subcarrier distance ofadjacent streams in other embodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4]).Although a rotation index of [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein as oneexample of an index maximizing average subcarrier distance, any otherrotation indexes that maximizes (or increases) average subcarrierdistance can be used. For example, any permutation which maximizes theaverage subcarrier distance of adjacent streams may be used, and [0 5 27 3 6 1 4] is only one example.

FIG. 25 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 1024-tone planembodiment. In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., thenumber of columns (Ncol)) can be a factor of the number of data tones(Ndata). In various embodiments, a 948 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 79, 158, 237, 316, or 474. Invarious embodiments, a 960 data tone block can have an interleaver depthof 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16, 20, 24, 30, 32, 40, 48, 60, 64, 80,96, 120, 160, 192, 240, 320, or 480. In various embodiments, a 972 datatone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 27,36, 54, 81, 108, 162, 243, 324, or 486. In various embodiments, a 980data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 20,28, 35, 49, 70, 98, 140, 196, 245, or 490. In various embodiments, a 984data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24,41, 82, 123, 164, 246, 328, or 492. In various embodiments, a 990 datatone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 15,18, 22, 30, 33, 45, 55, 66, 90, 99, 110, 165, 198, 330, or 495. Invarious embodiments, a 996 data tone block can have an interleaver depthof 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 83, 166, 249, 332, or 498.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).

For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 227-259. The rotationindex (e.g., the 6^(th) column) can be a bit reversal of [0 2 1 3] inthis scenario. Alternatively, if the data tone block has more than 4spatial streams (Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of108-135. The rotation index (e.g., the 7th column) can be a bit reversalof [0 4 2 6 1 5 3 7] in some embodiments, or the rotation index can bechosen to maximize (or increase) an average subcarrier distance ofadjacent streams in other embodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4]).Although a rotation index of [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein as oneexample of an index maximizing average subcarrier distance, any otherrotation indexes that maximizes (or increases) average subcarrierdistance can be used. For example, any permutation which maximizes theaverage subcarrier distance of adjacent streams may be used, and [0 5 27 3 6 1 4] is only one example.

FIG. 26 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 1280-tone planembodiment. In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., thenumber of columns (Ncol)) can be a factor of the number of data tones(Ndata). In various embodiments, a 1200 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16, 20, 24, 25, 30,40, 48, 50, 60, 75, 80, 100, 120, 150, 200, 240, 300, 400, or 600. Invarious embodiments, a 1206 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2, 3, 6, 9, 18, 67, 134, 201, 402, or 603. In variousembodiments, a 1212 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2,3, 4, 6, 12, 101, 202, 303, 404, or 606. In various embodiments, a 1218data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 6, 7, 14, 21, 29,42, 58, 87, 174, 203, 406, or 609. In various embodiments, a 1224 datatone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 17,18, 24, 34, 36, 51, 68, 72, 102, 136, 153, 204, 306, 408, or 612. Invarious embodiments, a 1230 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 30, 41, 82, 123, 205, 246, 410, or 615. Invarious embodiments, a 1232 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2, 4, 7, 8, 11, 14, 16, 22, 28, 44, 56, 77, 88, 112, 154, 176,308, or 616. In various embodiments, a 1236 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 103, 206, 309, 412, or 618. Invarious embodiments, a 1242 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2, 3, 6, 9, 18, 23, 27, 46, 54, 69, 138, 207, 414, or 621.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).

For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 290-321. The rotationindex (e.g., the 6^(th) column) can be a bit reversal of [0 2 1 3] inthis scenario. Alternatively, if the data tone block has more than 4spatial streams (Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of140-166. The rotation index (e.g., the 7th column) can be a bit reversalof [0 4 2 6 1 5 3 7] in some embodiments, or the rotation index can bechosen to maximize (or increase) an average subcarrier distance ofadjacent streams in other embodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4]).Although a rotation index of [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein as oneexample of an index maximizing average subcarrier distance, any otherrotation indexes that maximizes (or increases) average subcarrierdistance can be used. For example, any permutation which maximizes theaverage subcarrier distance of adjacent streams may be used, and [0 5 27 3 6 1 4] is only one example.

FIG. 27 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 1536-tone planembodiment. In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., thenumber of columns (Ncol)) can be a factor of the number of data tones(Ndata). In various embodiments, a 1420 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 4, 5, 10, 20, 71, 142, 284, 355, or 710. Invarious embodiments, a 1422 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2, 3, 6, 9, 18, 79, 158, 237, 474, or 711. In variousembodiments, a 1424 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2,4, 8, 16, 89, 178, 356, or 712. In various embodiments, a 1426 data toneblock can have an interleaver depth of 2, 23, 31, 46, 62, or 713. Invarious embodiments, a 1428 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 12, 14, 17, 21, 28, 34, 42, 51, 68, 84, 102,119, 204, 238, 357, 476, or 714. In various embodiments, a 1430 datatone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 5, 10, 11, 13, 22, 26,55, 65, 110, 130, 143, 286, or 715. In various embodiments, a 1432 datatone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 8, 179, 358, or 716.In various embodiments, a 1434 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2, 3, 6, 239, 478, or 717. In various embodiments, a 1436 datatone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 359, or 718. Invarious embodiments, a 1438 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2 or 719. In various embodiments, a 1440 data tone block canhave an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 18,20, 24, 30, 32, 36, 40, 45, 48, 60, 72, 80, 90, 96, 120, 144, 160, 180,240, 288, 360, 480, or 720. In various embodiments, a 1452 data toneblock can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 11, 12, 22, 33, 44,66, 121, 132, 242, 363, 484, or 726. In various embodiments, a 1464 datatone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 61,122, 183, 244, 366, 488, or 732. In various embodiments, a 1470 datatone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 14, 15,21, 30, 35, 42, 49, 70, 98, 105, 147, 210, 245, 294, 490, or 735. Invarious embodiments, a 1485 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 27, 33, 45, 55, 99, 135, 165, 297, or 495. Invarious embodiments, a 1488 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 31, 48, 62, 93, 124, 186, 248, 372,496, or 744. In various embodiments, a 1491 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 3, 7, 21, 71, 213, or 497.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).

For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 346-383. The rotationindex (e.g., the 6^(th) column) can be a bit reversal of [0 2 1 3] inthis scenario. Alternatively, if the data tone block has more than 4spatial streams (Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of167-187. The rotation index (e.g., the 7th column) can be a bit reversalof [0 4 2 6 1 5 3 7] in some embodiments, or the rotation index can bechosen to maximize (or increase) an average subcarrier distance ofadjacent streams in other embodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4]).Although a rotation index of [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein as oneexample of an index maximizing average subcarrier distance, any otherrotation indexes that maximizes (or increases) average subcarrierdistance can be used. For example, any permutation which maximizes theaverage subcarrier distance of adjacent streams may be used, and [0 5 27 3 6 1 4] is only one example.

FIG. 28 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 1792-tone planembodiment. In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., thenumber of columns (Ncol)) can be a factor of the number of data tones(Ndata). In various embodiments, a 1660 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 4, 5, 10, 20, 83, 166, 332, 415 or 830. Invarious embodiments, a 1664 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2, 4, 8, 13, 16, 26, 32, 52, 64, 104, 128, 208, 416, or 832. Invarious embodiments, a 1668 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 139, 278, 417, 556, or 834. In variousembodiments, a 1672 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2,4, 8, 11, 19, 22, 38, 44, 76, 88, 152, 209, 418, or 836. In variousembodiments, a 1680 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 24, 28, 30, 35, 40, 42,48, 56, 60, 70, 80, 84, 105, 112, 120, 140, 168, 210, 240, 280, 336,420, 560, or 840. In various embodiments, a 1688 data tone block canhave an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 8, 211, 422, or 844. In variousembodiments, a 1692 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2,3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36, 47, 94, 141, 188, 282, 423, 564, or 846. Invarious embodiments, a 1696 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 53, 106A, 212, 424, or 848. In variousembodiments, a 1700 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2,4, 5, 10, 17, 20, 25, 34, 50, 68, 85, 100, 170, 340, 425, or 850. Invarious embodiments, a 1704 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 71, 142, 213, 284, 426, 568, or 852. Invarious embodiments, a 1708 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2, 4, 7, 14, 28, 61, 122, 244, 427, or 854. In variousembodiments, a 1710 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2,3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, 18, 19, 30, 38, 45, 57, 90, 95, 114, 171, 190, 285,342, 570, or 855. In various embodiments, a 1712 data tone block canhave an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 8, 16, 107, 214, 428, or 856. Invarious embodiments, a 1716 data tone block can have an interleaverdepth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 11, 12, 13, 22, 26, 33, 39, 44, 52, 66, 78, 132,143, 156, 286, 429, 572, or 858. In various embodiments, a 1720 datatone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20, 40, 43,86, 172, 215, 344, 430, or 860. In various embodiments, a 1728 data toneblock can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 16, 18, 24,27, 32, 36, 48, 54, 64, 72, 96, 108, 144, 192, 216, 288, 432, 576, or864. In various embodiments, a 1740 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 29, 30, 58, 60, 87,116, 145, 174, 290, 348, 435, 580, or 870. In various embodiments, a1745 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 5 or 349.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 405-447. The rotationindex (e.g., the 6^(th) column) can be a bit reversal of [0 2 1 3] inthis scenario. Alternatively, if the data tone block has more than 4spatial streams (Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of197-229. The rotation index (e.g., the 7th column) can be a bit reversalof [0 4 2 6 1 5 3 7] in some embodiments, or the rotation index can bechosen to maximize (or increase) an average subcarrier distance ofadjacent streams in other embodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4]).Although a rotation index of [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein as oneexample of an index maximizing average subcarrier distance, any otherrotation indexes that maximizes (or increases) average subcarrierdistance can be used. For example, any permutation which maximizes theaverage subcarrier distance of adjacent streams may be used, and [0 5 27 3 6 1 4] is only one example.

Referring back to FIG. 17, the outputs of each interleaver 1108 a-1108 c(e.g., transmit streams) can be provided to the corresponding modulator1102 a-1102 c. Each modulator 1102 a-1102 c can be configured tomodulate the corresponding transmit stream and pass the modulatedtransmit stream to the corresponding transmission circuit 1110 a-1110 c.In a particular embodiment, the bits (e.g., the transmit streams) can bemodulated using Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation, BinaryPhase Shift Keying (BPSK) modulation, or Quadrature Amplitude Modulation(QAM) (e.g., 16-QAM, 64-QAM, 256-QAM). The transmission circuits 1110a-1110 c can be configure to transmit the modulated transmit streamsover a wireless network (e.g., an IEEE 802.11 wireless network) via thecorresponding antennas 1112 a-1112 c.

In a particular embodiment, the antennas 1112 a-1112 c are distinct andspatially separated antennas. In another embodiment, distinct signal canbe combined into different polarizations and transmitted via a subset ofthe antennas 1112 a-1112 c. For example, the distinct signals can becombined where spatial rotation or spatial spreading is performed andmultiple spatial streams are mapped to a single antenna.

The receive circuits 1116 a-1116 c of the destination device 1029 canreceive the interleaved encoded bits via the corresponding antennas 1114a-1114 c. The outputs of the receive circuits 1116 a-1116 c are providedto the MIMO detector 1118, and the output of the MIMO detector 1118 isprovided to the decoder 1120. In a particular embodiment, the MIMOdetector 1118 can include a deinterleaving system configured to performreverse operations of the interleaving system 1014. The decoder 1120 canoutput received bits which, without unrecoverable errors, are the sameas the transmitted bits provided to the encoder 1104.

Generally, LDPC tone mapping distance (DTM) is defined in the IEEE802.11ac specification. The mapping distance (DTM) can be at least aslarge as the number of coded bits per OFDM symbol (NCBPS) divided by theLDPC codeword length (LCW) (e.g., NCBPS/LCW≤DTM) so that each LDPCcodeword covers the full range of tones. Additionally, the mappingdistance (DTM) can be an integer divisor of the number of subcarriers(Ndata). The mapping distance (DTM) can be constant over rates withineach bandwidth to enable a tone de-mapper implemented at a Fast FourierTransform (FFT) module of the receive circuits 1116 a-1116 c with fixedtone processing.

MCS validity is defined in the IEEE 802.11ac specification. Generally,the rule for determining whether an MCS is valid is that the number ofcoded bits per subcarrier must be an integer multiple of the number ofencoding streams. Further, the number of coded bits per encoding streammust be an integer multiple of the denominator in the code rate.Accordingly, certain MCS and spatial stream combinations may be invalidwhen these conditions are not met. Thus, for each potential Ndata valuediscussed above, a number of exclusions are provided, along with thelisting of the various exclusions. In some aspects, it may be beneficialto select a value of Ndata that has a minimum number of exclusions.

FIG. 29 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to another 64-tone planembodiment. In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., thenumber of columns (Ncol)) can be a factor of the number of data tones(Ndata). In various embodiments, a 38 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2 or 19. In various embodiments, a 40 data toneblock can have an interleaver depth 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, or 20. In variousembodiments, a 42 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3,6, 7, 14, or 21. In various embodiments, a 44 data tone block can havean interleaver depth of 2, 4, 11, or 22. In various embodiments, a 46data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2 or 23. In variousembodiments, a 48 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3,4, 6, 8, 12, 16, or 24.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).

For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 1-16. The rotationindex (e.g., the 6^(th) column of FIG. 29) can be a bit reversal of [0 21 3] in this scenario. Alternatively, if the data tone block has morethan 4 spatial streams (Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can beany of 1-10. The rotation index (e.g., the 7th column of FIG. 29) can bea bit reversal of [0 4 2 6 1 5 3 7] in some embodiments, or the rotationindex can be chosen to maximize (or increase) an average subcarrierdistance of adjacent streams in other embodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 14]). Although a rotation index of [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein asone example of an index maximizing average subcarrier distance, anyother rotation indexes that maximize (or increase) average subcarrierdistance can be used. For example, any permutation which maximizes theaverage subcarrier distance of adjacent streams may be used, and [0 5 27 3 6 1 4] is only one example.

FIG. 30 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to another 128-tone planembodiment. In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., thenumber of columns (NCOL)) can be a factor of the number of data tones(Ndata). In various embodiments, a 96 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, or 48. In variousembodiments, a 98 data tone block can have an interleaver depth 2, 7,14, or 49. In various embodiments, a 100 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 4, 5, 10, 20, 25, or 50. In various embodiments,a 102 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 6, 17, 34,or 51. In various embodiments, a 104 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 4, 8, 13, 26, or 52. In various embodiments, a106A data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2 or 53.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).

For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,26, 27, 28, 29, 30, or 31. The rotation index (e.g., the 6^(th) columnof FIG. 30) can be a bit reversal of [0 2 1 3] in this scenario.Alternatively, if the data tone block has more than 4 spatial streams(Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18. The rotation index(e.g., the 7th column of FIG. 30) can be a bit reversal of [0 4 2 6 1 53 7] in some embodiments, or the rotation index can be chosen tomaximize (or increase) an average subcarrier distance of adjacentstreams in other embodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4]). Although arotation index of [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein as one example of anindex maximizing average subcarrier distance, any other rotation indexesthat maximize (or increase) average subcarrier distance can be used.

FIG. 31 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to another 256-tone planembodiment. In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., thenumber of columns (NCOL)) can be a factor of the number of data tones(Ndata). In various embodiments, a 216 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 27, 36, 54, 72, or108. In various embodiments, a 218 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth 2 or 109. In various embodiments, a 220 data toneblock can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 5, 10, 11, 20, 22, 44, 55,or 110. In various embodiments, a 222 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 6, 37, 74, or 111. In various embodiments, a224 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 7, 8, 14, 16,28, 32, 56, or 112. In various embodiments, a 225 data tone block canhave an interleaver depth of 3, 5, 9, 15, 25, 45, or 75. In variousembodiments, a 226 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2 or113. In various embodiments, a 228 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 19, 38, 57, 76, or 114. In variousembodiments, a 230 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2,5, 10, 23, 46, or 115. In various embodiments, a 232 data tone block canhave an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 8, 29, 58, or 116.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).

For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 50, 51, 52, 53, 54,55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62. The rotation index (e.g., the 6^(th)column of FIG. 31) can be a bit reversal of [0 2 1 3] in this scenario.Alternatively, if the data tone block has more than 4 spatial streams(Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, or 33. The rotation index (e.g., the 7thcolumn of FIG. 31) can be a bit reversal of [0 4 2 6 1 5 3 7] in someembodiments, or the rotation index can be chosen to maximize (orincrease) an average subcarrier distance of adjacent streams in otherembodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4]). Although a rotation index of [0 52 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein as one example of an index maximizingaverage subcarrier distance, any other rotation indexes that maximize(or increase) average subcarrier distance can be used.

FIG. 32 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to another 512-tone planembodiment. In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., thenumber of columns (NCOL)) can be a factor of the number of data tones(Ndata). In various embodiments, a 474 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 6, 79, 158, or 237. In various embodiments, a476 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 7, 14, 17,28, 34, 68, 119, or 238. In various embodiments, a 480 data tone blockcan have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16, 20,24, 30, 32, 40, 48, 60, 80, 96, 120, 160, or 240.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).

For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 113, 114, 115, 116,117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, or 127. The rotationindex (e.g., the 6^(th) column of FIG. 32) can be a bit reversal of [0 21 3] in this scenario. Alternatively, if the data tone block has morethan 4 spatial streams (Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can beany of 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, or 66. Therotation index (e.g., the 7th column of FIG. 32) can be a bit reversalof [0 4 2 6 1 5 3 7] in some embodiments, or the rotation index can bechosen to maximize (or increase) an average subcarrier distance ofadjacent streams in other embodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4]).Although a rotation index of [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein as oneexample of an index maximizing average subcarrier distance, any otherrotation indexes that maximize (or increase) average subcarrier distancecan be used.

FIG. 33 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to another 1024-tone planembodiment. In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., thenumber of columns (NCOL)) can be a factor of the number of data tones(Ndata). In various embodiments, a 948 data tone block can have aninterleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 79, 158, 237, 316, or 474. Invarious embodiments, a 960 data tone block can have an interleaver depthof 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16, 20, 24, 30, 32, 40, 48, 60, 64, 80,96, 120, 160, 192, 240, 320, or 480. In various embodiments, a 972 datatone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 27,36, 54, 81, 108, 162, 243, 324, or 486. In various embodiments, a 980data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 20,28, 35, 49, 70, 98, 140, 196, 245, or 490. In various embodiments, a 984data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24,41, 82, 123, 164, 246, 328, or 492. In various embodiments, a 990 datatone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 15,18, 22, 30, 33, 45, 55, 66, 90, 99, 110, 165, 198, 330, or 495. Invarious embodiments, a 996 data tone block can have an interleaver depthof 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 83, 166, 249, 332, or 498.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).

For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 232, 233, 234, 235,236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249,250, 251, 252, 253, or 254. The rotation index (e.g., the 6^(th) columnof FIG. 33) can be a bit reversal of [0 2 1 3] in this scenario.Alternatively, if the data tone block has more than 4 spatial streams(Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 113, 114, 115,116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, or130. The rotation index (e.g., the 7th column of FIG. 33) can be a bitreversal of [0 4 2 6 1 5 3 7] in some embodiments, or the rotation indexcan be chosen to maximize (or increase) an average subcarrier distanceof adjacent streams in other embodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4]).Although a rotation index of [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein as oneexample of an index maximizing average subcarrier distance, any otherrotation indexes that maximize (or increase) average subcarrier distancecan be used.

FIG. 34 shows upper bounds for 320-tone, 25 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments. In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 25 MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may beFloor(488*5/8)=305. In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 25 MHz portion when there are 5 DC tones may beFloor(486*5/8)=303. In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 25 MHz portion when there are 7 DC tones may beFloor(484*5/8)=302. In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 25 MHz portion when there are 11 DC tones may beFloor(480*5/8)=300.

In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 25MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may be Floor(998*5/16)=311. In a80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 25 MHzportion when there are 5 DC tones may be Floor(996*5/16)=311. In a 80 or160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 25 MHz portionwhen there are 7 DC tones may be Floor(994*5/16)=310. In a 80 or 160 MHzOFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 25 MHz portion whenthere are 11 DC tones may be Floor(990*5/16)=309. Accordingly, theunified upper bound for a 320-tone transmission may be 311 data tones.This is the highest number of data tones possible, in any of the listedconfigurations.

FIG. 35 shows upper bounds for 576-tone, 45 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the numberof data tones in a 45 MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may beFloor(998*9/16)=561. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the numberof data tones in a 45 MHz portion when there are 5 DC tones may beFloor(996*9/16)=560. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the numberof data tones in a 45 MHz portion when there are 7 DC tones may beFloor(994*9/16)=559. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the numberof data tones in a 45 MHz portion when there are 11 DC tones may beFloor(990*9/16)=556. Accordingly, the unified upper bound for a 576-tonetransmission may be 561 data tones. This is the highest number of datatones possible, in any of the listed configurations.

FIG. 36 shows upper bounds for 640-tone, 50 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the numberof data tones in a 50 MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may beFloor(998*5/8)=623. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number ofdata tones in a 50 MHz portion when there are 5 DC tones may beFloor(996*5/8)=622. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number ofdata tones in a 50 MHz portion when there are 7 DC tones may beFloor(994*5/8)=621. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number ofdata tones in a 50 MHz portion when there are 11 DC tones may beFloor(990*5/8)=618. Accordingly, the unified upper bound for a 640-tonetransmission may be 623 data tones. This is the highest number of datatones possible, in any of the listed configurations.

FIG. 37 shows upper bounds for 1088-tone, 85 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the numberof data tones in a 85 MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may beFloor(998*17/16)=1060. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the numberof data tones in a 85 MHz portion when there are 5 DC tones may beFloor(996*17/16)=1058. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the numberof data tones in a 85 MHz portion when there are 7 DC tones may beFloor(994*17/16)=1056. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the numberof data tones in a 85 MHz portion when there are 11 DC tones may beFloor(990*17/16)=1051. Accordingly, the unified upper bound for a1088-tone transmission may be 1060 data tones. This is the highestnumber of data tones possible, in any of the listed configurations.

FIG. 38 shows upper bounds for 1152-tone, 90 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the numberof data tones in a 90 MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may beFloor(998*9/8)=1122. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the numberof data tones in a 90 MHz portion when there are 5 DC tones may beFloor(996*9/8)=1120. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the numberof data tones in a 90 MHz portion when there are 7 DC tones may beFloor(994*9/8)=1118. In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the numberof data tones in a 90 MHz portion when there are 11 DC tones may beFloor(990*9/8)=113. Accordingly, the unified upper bound for a 1152-tonetransmission may be 1122 data tones. This is the highest number of datatones possible, in any of the listed configurations.

In various embodiments, one or more sub-bands can be formed by multipleallocation units. The multiple allocation units can be selected from 1×and/or 4× OFDMA tone plans. In various embodiments, multiple allocationunits can be two or more separate allocation units. For example, OFDMAsub-band bandwidths of 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 25, 30, 45,50, 60, 85, 90, 100, 120, and/or 140 MHz sub-bands can be formed fromtwo or more separate allocation units selected from 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40,and 80 MHz sub-band tone plans, such as those discussed herein, or anyother plan. Selecting multiple allocation units can increase throughputwhile decreasing the number of tone plans, and may reduce the number ofMCS exclusions. In some instances, the data for the same user indifferent frequency allocation units may be encoded/decoded separatelyor jointly, and the coded bits for the same user in different frequencyallocation units may be interleaved/de-interleaved separately.

Each of the multiple allocation units can include separatelyencoded/decoded and separately interleaved/deinterleaved tone plans.Thus, Ndata (the number of data tones) and Npilot (the number of pilottones) are the sum of all data and pilot tones among the multipleselected allocation units, respectively. Leftover tones (for example,upper bounds minus Ndata) can be assigned to additional DC tones, pilottones, edge guard tones, and/or UL user guard tones, used for trackingrefinement, channel estimation refinement, and/or for carryingadditional information such as ACKs, sub-band sounding, power controlcommands, MCS up/down control commands, etc. Each allocation unit isencoded/interleaved by itself and has its BCC interleaving depth NCOLand LDPC tone mapping distance DTM. The excluded combinations of MCS andnumber of data streams is the union of the combinations of all OFDMAallocation units that form the sub-band.

FIG. 39 shows exemplary sub-band formation using multiple allocationunits, according to various embodiments. In particular, FIG. 39 showshow 15, 25, 30, 45, 50, 60, 85, 90, 100, 120, and/or 140 MHz sub-bandscan be formed from two or more separate allocation units selected from5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 MHz sub-bands. For example, a 15 MHz sub-band canbe formed by multiple allocation of a 5 MHz sub-band and a 10 MHzsub-band, having a 192-tone plan formed using a 64-tone plan inconjunction with a 128-tone plan

As another example, a 25 MHz sub-band can be formed by multipleallocation of a 5 MHz sub-band and a 20 MHz sub-band, having a 320-toneplan formed using a 64-tone plan in conjunction with a 256-tone plan. Asanother example, a 30 MHz sub-band can be formed by multiple allocationof a 10 MHz sub-band and a 20 MHz sub-band, having a 384-tone planformed using a 128-tone plan in conjunction with a 256-tone plan. Asanother example, a 45 MHz sub-band can be formed by multiple allocationof a 5 MHz sub-band and a 40 MHz sub-band, having a 576-tone plan formedusing a 64-tone plan in conjunction with a 512-tone plan.

As another example, a 50 MHz sub-band can be formed by multipleallocation of a 10 MHz sub-band and a 40 MHz sub-band, having a 640-toneplan formed using a 128-tone plan in conjunction with a 512-tone plan.As another example, a 60 MHz sub-band can be formed by multipleallocation of a 20 MHz sub-band and a 40 MHz sub-band, having a 768-toneplan formed using a 256-tone plan in conjunction with a 512-tone plan.As another example, an 85 MHz sub-band can be formed by multipleallocation of a 5 MHz sub-band and an 80 MHz sub-band, having a1088-tone plan formed using a 64-tone plan in conjunction with a1024-tone plan.

As another example, a 90 MHz sub-band can be formed by multipleallocation of a 10 MHz sub-band and an 80 MHz sub-band, having a1152-tone plan formed using a 128-tone plan in conjunction with a1024-tone plan. As another example, a 100 MHz sub-band can be formed bymultiple allocation of a 20 MHz sub-band and an 80 MHz sub-band, havinga 1280-tone plan formed using a 256-tone plan in conjunction with a1024-tone plan. As another example, a 120 MHz sub-band can be formed bymultiple allocation of a 40 MHz sub-band and an 80 MHz sub-band, havinga 1536-tone plan formed using a 512-tone plan in conjunction with a1024-tone plan.

Although many example multiple allocation units discussed herein includetwo separate allocation units, combinations of three or more separateallocation units are contemplated. For example, a 140 MHz sub-band canbe formed by multiple allocation of a 20 MHz sub-band, a 40 MHzsub-band, and an 80 MHz sub-band, having a 1792-tone plan formed using a256-tone plan in conjunction with a 512-tone plan and a 1024-tone plan.

Although FIG. 39 shows exemplary tone plan configurations, in variousembodiments, tone plans for sub-bands can be determined according to anycombination of one or more of the following criteria: an upper boundbased on whether the sub-band is a SU bandwidth or an OFDMA bandwidthfor a specific total bandwidth, a number of DC tones based on a CFOparameter, a number of guard tones based on a DL/UL spectral maskparameter and/or minimization of interference between STAs in UL, and anumber of pilot tones based on a sufficient pilot tone parameter foreach DL/UL OFDMA user. Accordingly, a number of leftover tones desiredcan be determined, and Ndata chosen based on the upper bound minus thedesired leftover tones.

FIG. 40 shows a flowchart 4000 of an exemplary method of wirelesscommunication that can be employed within the wireless communicationsystem 100 of FIG. 1. The method can be implemented in whole or in partby the devices described herein, such as the AP 104 (FIG. 1), any of theSTAs 106A-106D (FIG. 1), the wireless device 202 shown in FIG. 2, thedevices 1010, 1020, 1030, or 1040 (FIG. 16). Although the illustratedmethod is described herein with reference to the wireless communicationsystem 100 discussed above with respect to FIG. 1, the wireless device202 discussed above with respect to FIG. 2, the system 1000 of FIG. 16,a person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that theillustrated method can be implemented by another device describedherein, or any other suitable device. Although the illustrated method isdescribed herein with reference to a particular order, in variousembodiments, blocks herein can be performed in a different order, oromitted, and additional blocks can be added.

First, at block 4010, the wireless device determines allocations for aplurality of channels for communication of a wireless message. Forexample, the AP 104 can retrieve stored allocations from a memory, ordynamically determine the allocations, and can transmit the allocationsto the STA 106A. The STA 106A can receive the allocations, can retrievethe allocations from a memory, or can dynamically determine theallocations. For example, the STA 106A can receive allocations for 5 MHzand 10 MHz sub-bands.

In various embodiments, determining allocations for the plurality ofchannels can include receiving allocations for a combination of 2.5 MHz,5 MHz, 10 MHz, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, and 80 MHz channels. In variousembodiments, determining allocations for the plurality of channels caninclude receiving allocations for a combination of channels associatedwith 32-, 64-, 128-, 256-, 512-, and 1024-tone plans. For example,allocations and tone plans can be determined, transmitted, and/orreceived in accordance with FIG. 39, or any other disclosure herein.

Next, at block 4020, the wireless device selects a combined tone planbased on tone plans associated with each of the plurality of allocatedchannels. For example, the STA 106A can select a 192-tone planassociated with a 15 MHz bandwidth based on allocations of 5 MHz and 10MHz sub-bands. In various embodiments, tone plans can be associated withsub-channel allocations in accordance with FIG. 39, or any otherdisclosure herein.

In various embodiments, selecting the combined tone plan can includeselecting a combination of two or more 26-, 52-, 106-, 242-, 484-, and996-tone allocation units and selecting a tone plan having one of 150,282, 336, 516, 570, 702, 1028, 1082, 1214, 1448, or 1682 data tones asthe combined tone plan based on the selected combination. For example,the STA 106A can select a 64-tone plan for combination with a 128-toneplan and form a 192-tone plan. As another example, the STA 106A canselect the 192-tone plan based on the 64-tone plan combined with the128-tone plan.

In various embodiments, selecting the combined tone plan can include atleast one of: selecting a 192-tone plan based on a 64-tone plan combinedwith a 128-tone plan for transmission over a 15 MHz bandwidth, selectinga 320-tone plan based on a 64-tone plan combined with a 256-tone planfor transmission over a 25 MHz bandwidth, selecting a 384-tone planbased on a 128-tone plan combined with a 256-tone plan for transmissionover a 30 MHz bandwidth, selecting a 576-tone plan based on a 64-toneplan combined with a 512-tone plan for transmission over a 45 MHzbandwidth, selecting a 640-tone plan based on a 128-tone plan combinedwith a 512-tone plan for transmission over a 50 MHz bandwidth, selectinga 768-tone plan based on a 256-tone plan combined with a 512-tone planfor transmission over a 60 MHz bandwidth, selecting a 1088-tone planbased on a 64-tone plan combined with a 1024-tone plan for transmissionover a 85 MHz bandwidth, selecting a 1152-tone plan based on a 128-toneplan combined with a 1024-tone plan for transmission over a 90 MHzbandwidth, selecting a 1280-tone plan based on a 256-tone plan combinedwith a 1024-tone plan for transmission over a 100 MHz bandwidth,selecting a 1536-tone plan based on a 512-tone plan combined with a1024-tone plan for transmission over a 120 MHz bandwidth, and selectinga 1792-tone plan based on a 256-tone plan combined with a 512-tone planand a 1024-tone plan for transmission over a 140 MHz bandwidth.

In various embodiments, selecting the combined tone plan can include atleast one of: forming a 192-tone plan from a 64-tone plan combined witha 128-tone plan for transmission over a 15 MHz bandwidth, forming a320-tone plan from a 64-tone plan combined with a 256-tone plan fortransmission over a 25 MHz bandwidth, forming a 384-tone plan from a128-tone plan combined with a 256-tone plan for transmission over a 30MHz bandwidth, forming a 576-tone plan from a 64-tone plan combined witha 512-tone plan for transmission over a 45 MHz bandwidth, forming a640-tone plan from a 128-tone plan combined with a 512-tone plan fortransmission over a 50 MHz bandwidth, forming a 768-tone plan from a256-tone plan combined with a 512-tone plan for transmission over a 60MHz bandwidth, forming a 1088-tone plan from a 64-tone plan combinedwith a 1024-tone plan for transmission over a 85 MHz bandwidth, forminga 1152-tone plan from a 128-tone plan combined with a 1024-tone plan fortransmission over a 90 MHz bandwidth, forming a 1280-tone plan from a256-tone plan combined with a 1024-tone plan for transmission over a 100MHz bandwidth, forming a 1536-tone plan from a 512-tone plan combinedwith a 1024-tone plan for transmission over a 120 MHz bandwidth, andforming a 1792-tone plan from a 256-tone plan combined with a 512-toneplan and a 1024-tone plan for transmission over a 140 MHz bandwidth.

In various embodiments, selecting the combined tone plan can includeselecting a multiple of 32-tone plans and selecting one of a 64-, 96-,128-, 160-, 192-, 224-, 256-tone plan based on the selected multiple.

In various embodiments, selecting the combined tone plan can include atleast one of: selecting a 64-tone plan based on a combination of two32-tone plans for transmission over a 5 MHz bandwidth; selecting a96-tone plan based on a combination of three 32-tone plans fortransmission over a 7.5 MHz bandwidth; selecting a 128-tone plan basedon a combination of four 32-tone plans for transmission over a 10 MHzbandwidth; selecting a 160-tone plan based on a combination of five32-tone plans for transmission over a 12.5 MHz bandwidth; selecting a192-tone plan based on a combination of six 32-tone plans fortransmission over a 15 MHz bandwidth; selecting a 224-tone plan based ona combination of seven 32-tone plans for transmission over a 17.5 MHzbandwidth; and selecting a 256-tone plan based on a combination of eight32-tone plans for transmission over a 20 MHz bandwidth.

In various embodiments, forming the combined tone plan can include atleast one of: forming a 64-tone plan from a combination of two 32-toneplans for transmission over a 5 MHz bandwidth; forming a 96-tone planfrom a combination of three 32-tone plans for transmission over a 7.5MHz bandwidth; forming a 128-tone plan from a combination of four32-tone plans for transmission over a 10 MHz bandwidth; forming a160-tone plan from a combination of five 32-tone plans for transmissionover a 12.5 MHz bandwidth; forming a 192-tone plan from a combination ofsix 32-tone plans for transmission over a 15 MHz bandwidth; forming a224-tone plan from a combination of seven 32-tone plans for transmissionover a 17.5 MHz bandwidth; and forming a 256-tone plan from acombination of eight 32-tone plans for transmission over a 20 MHzbandwidth.

Then, at block 4030, the wireless device provides the wireless messagefor transmission according to the combined tone plan. For example, theSTA 106A can transmit the wireless message over 15 MHz in accordancewith the 192-tone plan, as a result of combining the 64-tone plan of the5 MHz sub-band with the 128-tone plan of the 10 MHz sub-band.

In various embodiments, providing the wireless message for transmissioncan include providing the wireless message for transmission over one ofa 15 MHz, 25 MHz, 30 MHz, 45 MHz, 50 MHz, 60 MHz, 85 MHz, 90 MHz, 100MHz, 120 MHz, or 140 MHz channel according to one of 192-, 320-, 384-,576-, 640-, 768-, 1088, 1152-, 1280-, 1536-, or 1792-tone plan.

In various embodiments, providing the wireless message for transmissioncan include separately encoding data over each allocated channelaccording to an associated tone plan. For example, the STA 106A canseparately encode the 5 MHz sub-band according to the 64-tone plan andthe 10 MHz sub-band according to the 128-tone plan.

In various embodiments, providing the wireless message for transmissioncan include separately interleaving data over each allocated channelaccording to an associated tone plan. For example, the STA 106A canseparately interleave the 5 MHz sub-band according to the 64-tone planand the 10 MHz sub-band according to the 128-tone plan.

In various embodiments, providing the wireless message for transmissioncan include jointly encoding data, over all allocated channels of oneuser, according to an associated tone plan, and independentlyinterleaving the first allocation unit and the second allocation unit.

In various embodiments, the method can further include receiving anothermessage over the plurality of allocated channels according to thecombined tone plan. For example, both the AP 104 and the STA 106A cantransmit, receive, or both, according to the allocated channels andselected tone plan(s).

In an embodiment, the methods shown in FIG. 40 can be implemented in awireless device that can include a determining circuit, a selectingcircuit, and a providing circuit. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that a wireless device can have more components than thesimplified wireless device described herein. The wireless devicedescribed herein includes only those components useful for describingsome prominent features of implementations within the scope of theclaims.

The determining circuit can be configured to determine allocations forthe plurality of channels. The determining circuit can include one ormore of the receiver 212 (FIG. 2), the transceiver 216 (FIG. 2), theprocessor 204 (FIG. 2), the DSP 220 (FIG. 2), and the memory 206 (FIG.2). In some implementations, means for determining can include thedetermining circuit.

The selecting circuit can be configured to selecting the tone plan forwireless communication of the wireless message. In an embodiment, theselecting circuit can be configured to implement block 4020 of theflowchart 4000 (FIG. 40). The selecting circuit can include one or moreof the DSP 220 (FIG. 2), the processor 204 (FIG. 2), and the memory 206(FIG. 2). In some implementations, means for selecting can include theselecting circuit.

The providing circuit can be configured to provide the wireless messagefor transmission according to the selected tone plan. In an embodiment,the providing circuit can be configured to implement block 4030 of theflowchart 4000 (FIG. 40). The providing circuit can include one or moreof the transmitter 210 (FIG. 2), the transceiver 214 (FIG. 2), theprocessor 204 (FIG. 2), the DSP 220 (FIG. 2), and the memory 206 (FIG.2). In some implementations, means for providing can include theproviding circuit.

FIG. 41 shows upper bounds for 32-tone, 2.5 MHz tone plans according tovarious embodiments. Generally, these tone allocations may betransmitted to a user as a part of a larger transmission, such as a 20MHz or larger transmission. For example, a single user may be allocated2.5 MHz out of a 20 MHz transmission. Accordingly, it would be desirableto determine how many data tones a user may have when allocated 2.5 MHz.

In a 20 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 2.5 MHzportion when there are 3 DC tones may be Floor(234/8)=29. In thiscalculation, 234 is the upper bound of Ndata in a 20 MHz transmissionwith 3 DC tones, as shown in FIG. 34. Accordingly, each of the eight 2.5MHz portions of the 20 MHz transmission may have up to one-eighth,rounded down, data tones. In a 20 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number ofdata tones in a 2.5 MHz portion when there are 5 DC tones may beFloor(232/8)=29. In a 20 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of datatones in a 2.5 MHz portion when there are 7 DC tones may beFloor(230/8)=28.

In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 2.5 MHzportion when there are 3 DC tones may be Floor(488/16)=30. In a 40 MHzOFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 2.5 MHz portion whenthere are 5 DC tones may be Floor(486/16)=30. In a 40 MHz OFDMAtransmission, the number of data tones in a 2.5 MHz portion when thereare 7 DC tones may be Floor(484/16)=30. In a 40 MHz OFDMA transmission,the number of data tones in a 2.5 MHz portion when there are 11 DC tonesmay be Floor(480/16)=30.

In a 80 or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 2.5MHz portion when there are 3 DC tones may be Floor(998/32)=31. In a 80or 160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 2.5 MHzportion when there are 5 DC tones may be Floor(996/32)=31. In a 80 or160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 2.5 MHzportion when there are 7 DC tones may be Floor(994/32)=31. In a 80 or160 MHz OFDMA transmission, the number of data tones in a 2.5 MHzportion when there are 11 DC tones may be Floor(990/32)=30. Accordingly,the unified upper bound for a 64-tone transmission may be 31 data tones.This is the highest number of data tones possible, in any of the listedconfigurations.

Generally, when a single device is assigned a 2.5 MHz portion of atransmission, that device may receive data tones from one 32-toneportion of the spectrum. Accordingly, interleaver parameters for anumber of data tones provided to the device in that portion may bedesired.

FIG. 42 is a chart illustrating candidate interleaver parameters fordifferent numbers of data tones, according to a 32-tone plan embodiment.In a particular embodiment, the interleaver depth (e.g., the number ofcolumns (Ncol)) can be a factor of the number of data tones (Ndata). Invarious embodiments, a 20 data tone block can have an interleaver depthof 2, 4, 5, or 10. In various embodiments, a 22 data tone block can havean interleaver depth of 2 or 11. In various embodiments, a 26 data toneblock can have an interleaver depth of 2 or 13. In various embodiments,a 28 data tone block can have an interleaver depth of 2, 4, 7, or 14.

A frequency rotation can be applied to the spatial streams if there ismore than one spatial stream. The frequency rotation can be based on abase subcarrier rotation (NROT) and a rotation index. The basesubcarrier rotation (NROT) and the rotation index can be based on thenumber of data tones (Ndata) and the number of spatial streams (Nss).

For example, if the data tone block has 4 or less spatial streams (Nss),the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 1-17. The rotationindex (e.g., the 6th column) can be a bit reversal of [0 2 1 3] in thisscenario. Alternatively, if the data tone block has more than 4 spatialstreams (Nss), the base subcarrier rotation (NROT) can be any of 1-14.The rotation index (e.g., the 7th column) can be a bit reversal of [0 42 6 1 5 3 7] in some embodiments, or the rotation index can be chosen tomaximize (or increase) an average subcarrier distance of adjacentstreams in other embodiments (e.g., [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4]). Although arotation index of [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is used herein as one example of anindex maximizing average subcarrier distance, any other rotation indexesthat maximizes (or increases) average subcarrier distance can be used.For example, any permutation which maximizes the average subcarrierdistance of adjacent streams may be used, and [0 5 2 7 3 6 1 4] is onlyone example.

FIG. 43 shows exemplary sub-band formation using multiple allocations,according to various embodiments. In particular, FIG. 43 shows how 2.5,5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, and/or 20 MHz sub-bands can be formed fromtwo or more separate allocations selected from 2.5 MHz sub-bands. Forexample, a 5 MHz sub-band can be formed by multiple allocation of two2.5 MHz sub-bands, having a 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, or 60-tone plan formedusing a two 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, or 30-tone plans, respectively. Asanother example, a 7.5 MHz sub-band can be formed by multiple allocationof three 2.5 MHz sub-bands, having a 60, 66, 72, 78, 84, or 90-tone planformed using a two 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, or 30-tone plans, respectively.

As another example, a 10 MHz sub-band can be formed by multipleallocation of four 2.5 MHz sub-bands, having a 80, 88, 96, 104, 112, or120-tone plan formed using a four 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, or 30-tone plans,respectively. As another example, a 12.5 MHz sub-band can be formed bymultiple allocation of five 2.5 MHz sub-bands, having a 100, 110, 120,130, 140, or 150-tone plan formed using a five 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, or30-tone plans, respectively. As another example, a 15 MHz sub-band canbe formed by multiple allocation of six 2.5 MHz sub-bands, having a 120,132, 144, 156, 168, or 180-tone plan formed using a six 20, 22, 24, 26,28, or 30-tone plans, respectively.

As another example, a 17.5 MHz sub-band can be formed by multipleallocation of seven 2.5 MHz sub-bands, having a 140, 154, 168, 182, 196,or 210-tone plan formed using a two 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, or 30-toneplans, respectively. As another example, a 20 MHz sub-band can be formedby multiple allocation of two 2.5 MHz sub-bands, having a 160, 176, 192,208, 224, or 240-tone plan formed using a two 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, or30-tone plans, respectively.

Although FIG. 43 shows exemplary tone plan configurations, in variousembodiments, tone plans for sub-bands can be determined according to anycombination of one or more of the following criteria: an upper boundbased on whether the sub-band is a SU bandwidth or an OFDMA bandwidthfor a specific total bandwidth, a number of DC tones based on a CFOparameter, a number of guard tones based on a DL/UL spectral maskparameter and/or minimization of interference between STAs in UL, and anumber of pilot tones based on a sufficient pilot tone parameter foreach DL/UL OFDMA user. Accordingly, a number of leftover tones desiredcan be determined, and Ndata chosen based on the upper bound minus thedesired leftover tones.

FIG. 44 is a chart showing exemplary data tone choices for the sub-bandformation using multiple allocations of FIG. 43, according to variousembodiments. As shown, Ndata for each of the 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5,and 20 MHz sub-bands is a multiple of Ndata for the basic tone planchosen for the 2.5 MHz sub-band.

Forming Tone Plans by Multiple Allocations

As discussed above, tone plans can be formed via combinations ofmultiple allocation units, which can also be referred to herein asresource units (RUs), allocations, or tone allocation units (TAUs). Ingeneral, total bandwidth (BW_(total)) can be formed using X (BW₁+BW₂+ .. . +BW_(x)). The number of data tones N_(data) can be determined as thenumber of data tones for BW_(total). For example, N_(data) can bedetermined by summing the data tones for each allocation unit (e.g.,N_(data)=N_(data1)+N_(data2)+ . . . +N_(dataX), where N_(data) _(_) _(i)is the number of data tones for BW_(i)). Similarly, the number of pilottones N_(pilot) can be determined as the number of pilot tones forBW_(total). For example, N_(pilot) can be determined by summing the datatones for each allocation unit (e.g., N_(pilot)=N_(pilot1)+N_(pilot2)+ .. . +N_(pilotX), where N_(piloti) is the number of pilot tones forBW_(i)).

Each sub-band of 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, and/or 20 MHz can be formedfrom the combination of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 allocation units,respectively, each of 2.5 MHz and including 32 FFT tones. Each sub-bandof 15, 25, 30, 45, 50, 60, 85, 90, 100, and/or 120 MHz can be formedfrom the combination of two allocation units, each choosing from a 5,10, 20, 40, 80 MHz allocation and tone plan. Each sub-band of 140 MHzcan be formed from the combination of three allocation units, eachchoosing from a 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 MHz allocation and tone plan.

In some embodiments, each allocation unit of BW_(i) can be encodedindependently. In such embodiments, total MCS exclusions(MCS_exclusions_total) can be determined as the union of the set of allexcluded combinations of MCS and number of data streams for each BW(MCS_exclusions_BW). In other words, MCS_exclusions total can bedetermined as the union of MCS_exclusions_BW_1 throughMCS_exclusions_BW_X. MCS_exclusions_BW_i can be determined as the set ofexcluded combinations of MCS and number of data streams for the numberof data tones associated with BW_i (N_(data) _(_) _(i)).

In some embodiments, all allocation units of one user can be encodedjointly. In such embodiments, total MCS exclusions(MCS_exclusions_total) can be determined as the set of excludedcombinations of MCS and number of data streams for the number of datatones (N_(data) _(_) _(i)).

In various embodiments, each allocation unit can be interleavedindependently according to the number of data tones N_(data) _(_) _(i),and the associated BCC interleaving depth N_(COL) and LDPC tone mappingdistance D_(TM). Accordingly, at the receiver, each allocation unit canbe deinterleaved independently according to the same criteria.

FIG. 45 shows a flowchart 4500 of an exemplary method of wirelesscommunication that can be employed within the wireless communicationsystem 100 of FIG. 1. The method can be implemented in whole or in partby the devices described herein, such as the AP 104 (FIG. 1), any of theSTAs 106A-106D (FIG. 1), the wireless device 202 shown in FIG. 2, thedevices 1010, 1020, 1030, or 1040 (FIG. 16), or the devices of system1100 (FIG. 17). Although the illustrated method is described herein withreference to the wireless communication system 100 discussed above withrespect to FIG. 1, the wireless device 202 discussed above with respectto FIG. 2, the system 1000 of FIG. 16, and the system 1100 of FIG. 17, aperson having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that theillustrated method can be implemented by another device describedherein, or any other suitable device. Although the illustrated method isdescribed herein with reference to a particular order, in variousembodiments, blocks herein can be performed in a different order, oromitted, and additional blocks can be added.

First, at block 4510, a wireless device allocates a first allocationunit associated with a first tone plan having a first number of tones,for communication of one or more wireless messages by a wireless device.For example, the AP 104 allocate an allocation unit to the STA 106A. Forexample, the STA 106A can receive an allocation for a 64-tone allocationunit for a 5 MHz sub-band.

Next, at block 4520, the wireless device allocates a second allocationunit, associated with a second tone plan having a second number of tonesdifferent from the first number of tones, for communication of one ormore wireless messages by the wireless device. For example, the AP 104allocate an allocation unit to the STA 106A. For example, the STA 106Bcan receive an allocation for a 128-tone allocation unit for a 10 MHzsub-band. As another example, the STA 106A can receive an allocation fora 128-tone allocation unit for a 10 MHz sub-band.

In various embodiments, the first allocation unit has one of 24, 48,102, 234, 468, or 980 data tones, and the second allocation unit has oneof 24, 48, 102, 234, 468, or 980 data tones. In various embodiments, thefirst allocation unit has one of 26, 52, 106, 242, 484, or 996 totaltones, and the second allocation unit has one of 26, 52, 106, 242, 484,or 996 total tones. In general, each allocation unit can be formedaccording to any allocation discussed herein, for example with respectto FIG. 39.

Then, at block 4530, the wireless device selects a combined tone planfor the wireless device based on at least the first tone plan and thesecond tone plan. For example, the AP 104 an/or the STA 106A can selecta 192-tone plan associated with a 15 MHz bandwidth based on the 64-toneplan and 128-tone plan of the 5 MHz and 10 MHz sub-bands, respectively.In various embodiments, tone plans can be associated with sub-channelallocations in accordance with FIG. 39, or any other disclosure herein.

In various embodiments, selecting the combined tone plan can includeselecting a combination of two or more 26-, 52-, 106-, 242-, 484-, and996-tone allocation units. Selecting the combined tone plan can furtherinclude selecting a tone plan having one of 150, 282, 336, 516, 570,702, 1028, 1082, 1214, 1448, or 1682 data tones as the combined toneplan based on the selected combination. For example, the AP 104 canselect a 64-tone plan for combination with a 128-tone plan and form a192-tone plan. As another example, the AP 104 can select the 192-toneplan based on the 64-tone plan combined with the 128-tone plan.

In various embodiments, selecting the combined tone plan can includeselecting at least one of: a tone plan having 150 data tones based on a52-tone allocation unit combined with a 106-tone allocation unit, a toneplan having 282 data tones based on a 52-tone allocation unit combinedwith a 242-tone allocation unit, a tone plan having 336 data tones basedon a 106-tone allocation unit combined with a 242-tone allocation unit,a tone plan having 516 data tones based on a 52-tone allocation unitcombined with a 484-tone allocation unit, a tone plan having 570 datatones based on a 106-tone allocation unit combined with a 484-toneallocation unit, a tone plan having 702 data tones based on a 242-toneallocation unit combined with a 484-tone allocation unit, a tone planhaving 1028 data tones based on a 52-tone allocation unit combined witha 996-tone allocation unit, a tone plan having 1082 data tones based ona 106-tone allocation unit combined with a 996-tone allocation unit, atone plan having 1214 data tones based on a 242-tone allocation unitcombined with a 996-tone allocation unit, a tone plan having 1448 datatones based on a 484-tone allocation unit combined with a 996-toneallocation unit, or a tone plan having 1682 data tones based on a242-tone allocation unit combined with a 484-tone allocation unit and a996-tone allocation unit.

In various embodiments, selecting the combined tone plan can includeselecting a multiple of 26-tone allocation units. In variousembodiments, each 26-tone allocation unit can have 24 data tones. Invarious embodiments, the multiple can be any of 1×, 2×, 3×, 4×, 5×, 6×,7×, and 8×.

In various embodiments, selecting the combined tone plan can include atleast one of: selecting a 64-tone plan based on a combination of two26-tone allocation units for transmission over a 5 MHz bandwidth;selecting a 96-tone plan based on a combination of three 26-toneallocation units for transmission over a 7.5 MHz bandwidth; selecting a128-tone plan based on a combination of four 26-tone allocation unitsfor transmission over a 10 MHz bandwidth; selecting a 160-tone planbased on a combination of five 26-tone allocation units for transmissionover a 12.5 MHz bandwidth; selecting a 192-tone plan based on acombination of six 26-tone allocation units for transmission over a 15MHz bandwidth; selecting a 224-tone plan based on a combination of seven26-tone allocation units for transmission over a 17.5 MHz bandwidth; andselecting a 256-tone plan based on a combination of eight 26-toneallocation units for transmission over a 20 MHz bandwidth.

Then, at block 4540, the wireless device provides the wireless messagefor transmission by the wireless device according to the combined toneplan. For example, the AP 104 can transmit the wireless message over 15MHz in accordance with the 192-tone plan, as a result of combining the64-tone plan of the 5 MHz sub-band with the 128-tone plan of the 10 MHzsub-band.

In various embodiments, providing the wireless message for transmissioncan include providing the wireless message for transmission over one ofa 15 MHz, 25 MHz, 30 MHz, 45 MHz, 50 MHz, 60 MHz, 85 MHz, 90 MHz, 100MHz, 120 MHz, or 140 MHz channel according to one of 192-, 320-, 384-,576-, 640-, 768-, 1088, 1152-, 1280-, 1536-, or 1792-tone plan.

In various embodiments, providing the wireless message for transmissioncan include separately encoding data over each allocated channelaccording to an associated tone plan. For example, the AP 104 canseparately encode a 52-tone allocation unit (having 48 data tones) and a106-tone allocation unit (having 102 data tones), which together utilizea 192-tone combined tone plan.

In various embodiments, providing the wireless message for transmissioncan include separately interleaving data over each allocated channelaccording to an associated tone plan. For example, the AP 104 canseparately interleave a 52-tone allocation unit (having 48 data tones)and a 106-tone allocation unit (having 102 data tones), which togetherutilize a 192-tone combined tone plan.

In various embodiments, providing the wireless message for transmissioncan include jointly encoding data, over all allocated channels of oneuser, according to an associated tone plan, and independentlyinterleaving the first allocation unit and the second allocation unit.

In various embodiments, the method can further include allocating athird allocation unit, associated with a third tone plan, forcommunication of one or more wireless messages by the wireless device.Selecting the combined tone plan can be further based on the third toneplan.

In various embodiments, selecting the combined tone plan can includeforming the combined tone plan by setting a number of data tones to asum of all data tones included in the first allocation unit, the secondallocation unit, and any other allocation units allocated to thewireless device, setting a number of pilot tones to a sum of all pilottones included in the first allocation unit, the second allocation unit,and any other allocation units allocated to the wireless device, andseparately encoding and/or interleaving the first allocation unit andthe second allocation unit according to a binary convolution codeinterleaving depth (NCOL) and low-density parity check tone mappingdistance (DTM).

In various embodiments, selecting the combined tone plan can includeforming the combined tone plan by setting a number of data tones to asum of all data tones included in the first allocation unit, the secondallocation unit, and any other allocation units allocated to thewireless device, setting a number of pilot tones to a sum of all pilottones included in the first allocation unit, the second allocation unit,and any other allocation units allocated to the wireless device, andjointly encoding and interleaving over the first allocation unit, thesecond allocation unit, and any other allocation units allocated to thewireless device.

In various embodiments, the method can further include receiving anothermessage over the plurality of allocated channels according to thecombined tone plan. For example, both the AP 104 and the STA 106A cantransmit, receive, or both, according to the allocated channels andselected tone plan(s).

In various embodiments, the wireless device comprises an access point(such as, for example, the AP 104 of FIG. 1). In various embodiments,providing the wireless message for transmission comprises transmittingthe wireless message through a transmitter (for example, the transmitter210 of FIG. 2) and an antenna (for example, the antenna 216 of FIG. 2)of the access point to a mobile station (for example, the STA 106A)served by the access point. In other embodiments, the method isperformed on a mobile station (for example, the STA 106A).

In an embodiment, the methods shown in FIG. 45 can be implemented in awireless device that can include an allocating circuit, a selectingcircuit, and a providing circuit. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that a wireless device can have more components than thesimplified wireless device described herein. The wireless devicedescribed herein includes only those components useful for describingsome prominent features of implementations within the scope of theclaims.

The allocating circuit can be configured to allocate allocation units.In various embodiments, the allocating circuit can be configured toimplement at least one of block 4510 and 4520 of the flowchart 4500(FIG. 45). The allocating circuit can include one or more of thetransmitter 210 (FIG. 2), the transceiver 216 (FIG. 2), the processor204 (FIG. 2), the DSP 220 (FIG. 2), and the memory 206 (FIG. 2). In someimplementations, means for allocating can include the allocatingcircuit.

The selecting circuit can be configured to selecting the combined toneplan for wireless communication of the wireless message. In anembodiment, the selecting circuit can be configured to implement block4530 of the flowchart 4500 (FIG. 45). The selecting circuit can includeone or more of the DSP 220 (FIG. 2), the processor 204 (FIG. 2), and thememory 206 (FIG. 2). In some implementations, means for selecting caninclude the selecting circuit.

The providing circuit can be configured to provide the wireless messagefor transmission according to the selected tone plan. In an embodiment,the providing circuit can be configured to implement block 4530 of theflowchart 4500 (FIG. 45). The providing circuit can include one or moreof the transmitter 210 (FIG. 2), the transceiver 214 (FIG. 2), theprocessor 204 (FIG. 2), the DSP 220 (FIG. 2), and the memory 206 (FIG.2). In some implementations, means for providing can include theproviding circuit.

A person/one having ordinary skill in the art would understand thatinformation and signals can be represented using any of a variety ofdifferent technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions,commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that can bereferenced throughout the above description can be represented byvoltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles,optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

Various modifications to the implementations described in thisdisclosure can be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and thegeneric principles defined herein can be applied to otherimplementations without departing from the spirit or scope of thisdisclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to theimplementations shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the claims, the principles and the novel featuresdisclosed herein. The word “exemplary” is used exclusively herein tomean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Anyimplementation described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.

Certain features that are described in this specification in the contextof separate implementations also can be implemented in combination in asingle implementation. Conversely, various features that are describedin the context of a single implementation also can be implemented inmultiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination.Moreover, although features can be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination can be directed to asub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of itemsrefers to any combination of those items, including single members. Asan example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c,a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c. Similarly, “a or b” is intended to cover anyof: a, b, and a-b.

The various operations of methods described above can be performed byany suitable means capable of performing the operations, such as varioushardware and/or software component(s), circuits, and/or module(s).Generally, any operations illustrated in the Figures can be performed bycorresponding functional means capable of performing the operations.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules and circuits describedin connection with the present disclosure can be implemented orperformed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor(DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a fieldprogrammable gate array signal (FPGA) or other programmable logic device(PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware componentsor any combination thereof designed to perform the functions describedherein. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor can be any commercially available processor,controller, microcontroller or state machine. A processor can also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

In one or more aspects, the functions described can be implemented inhardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implementedin software, the functions can be stored on or transmitted over as oneor more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media andcommunication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of acomputer program from one place to another. A storage media can be anyavailable media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example,and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM,EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used tocarry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or datastructures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connectionis properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if thesoftware is transmitted from a web site, server, or other remote sourceusing a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digitalsubscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio,and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave areincluded in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein,includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Thus, in some aspects computer readable medium can comprisenon-transitory computer readable medium (e.g., tangible media). Inaddition, in some aspects computer readable medium can comprisetransitory computer readable medium (e.g., a signal). Combinations ofthe above should also be included within the scope of computer-readablemedia.

The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions forachieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions can beinterchanged with one another without departing from the scope of theclaims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions isspecified, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions can bemodified without departing from the scope of the claims.

Further, it should be appreciated that modules and/or other appropriatemeans for performing the methods and techniques described herein can bedownloaded and/or otherwise obtained by a user terminal and/or basestation as applicable. For example, such a device can be coupled to aserver to facilitate the transfer of means for performing the methodsdescribed herein. Alternatively, various methods described herein can beprovided via storage means (e.g., RAM, ROM, a physical storage mediumsuch as a compact disc (CD) or floppy disk, etc.), such that a userterminal and/or base station can obtain the various methods uponcoupling or providing the storage means to the device. Moreover, anyother suitable technique for providing the methods and techniquesdescribed herein to a device can be utilized.

While the foregoing is directed to aspects of the present disclosure,other and further aspects of the disclosure can be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of wireless communication, comprising:allocating a first allocation unit associated with a first tone planhaving a first number of tones, for communication of one or morewireless messages by a wireless device; allocating a second allocationunit, associated with a second tone plan having a second number of tonesdifferent from the first number of tones, for communication of one ormore wireless messages by the wireless device; selecting a combined toneplan for the wireless device based on at least the first tone plan andthe second tone plan, wherein the combined tone plan comprises acombination of two or more tone allocation units and a tone plan havingone of 150, 282, 336, 516, 570, 702, 1028, 1082, 1214, 1448, or 1682data tones; and providing a wireless message for transmission by thewireless device according to the combined tone plan, wherein providingthe wireless message for transmission comprises separately encoding orinterleaving data over the first allocation unit and the secondallocation unit according to the first tone plan and the second toneplan, wherein separately encoding or interleaving data is according to abinary convolution code interleaving depth (NCOL) or low-density paritycheck tone mapping distance (DTM); wherein the binary convolution codeinterleaving depth (NCOL) for the first allocation unit is a factor ofthe first number of tones or the low-density parity check tone mappingdistance (DTM) for the first allocation unit is an integer divisor ofthe first number of tones; and wherein the binary convolution codeinterleaving depth (NCOL) for the second allocation unit is a factor ofthe second number of tones or the low-density parity check tone mappingdistance (DTM) for the second allocation unit is an integer divisor ofthe second number of tones.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingallocating a third allocation unit, associated with a third tone plan,for communication of one or more wireless messages by the wirelessdevice, wherein said selecting the combined tone plan is further basedon the third tone plan.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thecombination of two or more tone allocation units includes 26-, 52-,106-, 242-, 484-, and 996-tone allocation units.
 4. The method of claim1, wherein providing the wireless message comprises providing thewireless message for transmission over one of a 15 MHz, 25 MHz, 30 MHz,45 MHz, 50 MHz, 60 MHz, 85 MHz, 90 MHz, 100 MHz, 120 MHz, or 140 MHzchannel.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the combined toneplan comprises forming the combined tone plan by: setting a number ofdata tones to a sum of all data tones included in the first allocationunit, the second allocation unit, and any other allocation unitsallocated to the wireless device; and setting a number of pilot tones toa sum of all pilot tones included in the first allocation unit, thesecond allocation unit, and any other allocation units allocated to thewireless device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless devicecomprises an access point, and wherein providing the wireless messagefor transmission comprises transmitting the wireless message through atransmitter and an antenna of the access point to a mobile stationserved by the access point.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thewireless device comprises a mobile station, and wherein providing thewireless message for transmission comprises transmitting the messagethrough a transmitter and an antenna of the mobile station to an accesspoint serving the mobile station.
 8. An apparatus configured towirelessly communicate, comprising: a memory that stores instructions;and a processing system coupled with the memory and configured toexecute the instructions to: allocate a first allocation unit associatedwith a first tone plan having a first number of tones, for communicationof one or more wireless messages by a wireless device; allocate a secondallocation unit, associated with a second tone plan having a secondnumber of tones different from the first number of tones, forcommunication of one or more wireless messages by the wireless device;select a combined tone plan for the wireless device based on at leastthe first tone plan and the second tone plan, wherein the combined toneplan comprises a combination of two or more tone allocation units and atone plan having one of 150, 282, 336, 516, 570, 702, 1028, 1082, 1214,1448, or 1682 data tones; and provide a wireless message fortransmission by the wireless device according to the combined tone plan,wherein the processing system is configured to provide the wirelessmessage for transmission by separately encoding or interleaving dataover the first allocation unit and the second allocation unit accordingto the first tone plan and the second tone plan, wherein separatelyencoding or interleaving data is according to a binary convolution codeinterleaving depth (NCOL) or low-density parity check tone mappingdistance (DTM); wherein the binary convolution code interleaving depth(NCOL) for the first allocation unit is a factor of the first number oftones or the low-density parity check tone mapping distance (DTM) forthe first allocation unit is an integer divisor of the first number oftones; and wherein the binary convolution code interleaving depth (NCOL)for the second allocation unit is a factor of the second number of tonesor the low-density parity check tone mapping distance (DTM) for thesecond allocation unit is an integer divisor of the second number oftones.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processing system isfurther configured to further allocate a third allocation unit,associated with a third tone plan, for communication of one or morewireless messages by the wireless device, and to select the combinedtone plan further based on the third tone plan.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the combination of two or more tone allocation unitsincludes 26-, 52-, 106-, 242-, 484-, and 996-tone allocation unit. 11.The apparatus of claim 8, wherein providing the wireless message fortransmission comprises providing the wireless message for transmissionover one of a 15 MHz, 25 MHz, 30 MHz, 45 MHz, 50 MHz, 60 MHz, 85 MHz, 90MHz, 100 MHz, 120 MHz, or 140 MHz channel.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the processing system is configured to select the combined toneplan by: forming the combined tone plan by setting a number of datatones to a sum of all data tones included in the first allocation unit,the second allocation unit, and any other allocation units allocated tothe wireless device; and setting a number of pilot tones to a sum of allpilot tones included in the first allocation unit, the second allocationunit, and any other allocation units allocated to the wireless device.13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus comprises an accesspoint, the apparatus further comprising a transmitter and an antennaconfigured to transmit the wireless message to a mobile station servedby the access point.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatuscomprises a mobile station, the apparatus further comprising atransmitter and an antenna configured to transmit the wireless messageto an access point serving the mobile station.
 15. An apparatus forwireless communication, comprising: means for allocating a firstallocation unit associated with a first tone plan having a first numberof tones, for communication of one or more wireless messages by awireless device; means for allocating a second allocation unit,associated with a second tone plan having a second number of tonesdifferent from the first number of tones, for communication of one ormore wireless messages by the wireless device; means for selecting acombined tone plan for the wireless device based on at least the firsttone plan and the second tone plan, wherein the combined tone plancomprises a combination of two or more tone allocation units and a toneplan having one of 150, 282, 336, 516, 570, 702, 1028, 1082, 1214, 1448,or 1682 data tones; and means for providing a wireless message fortransmission by the wireless device according to the combined tone plan,wherein means for providing the wireless message for transmissioncomprises separately encoding or interleaving data over the firstallocation unit and the second allocation unit according to the firsttone plan and the second tone plan, wherein separately encoding orinterleaving data is according to a binary convolution code interleavingdepth (NCOL) or low-density parity check tone mapping distance (DTM);wherein the binary convolution code interleaving depth (NCOL) for thefirst allocation unit is a factor of the first number of tones or thelow-density parity check tone mapping distance (DTM) for the firstallocation unit is an integer divisor of the first number of tones; andwherein the binary convolution code interleaving depth (NCOL) for thesecond allocation unit is a factor of the second number of tones or thelow-density parity check tone mapping distance (DTM) for the secondallocation unit is an integer divisor of the second number of tones. 16.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the combination of two or more toneallocation units includes 26-, 52-, 106-, 242-, 484-, and 996-toneallocation units.
 17. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumcomprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to: allocate afirst allocation unit associated with a first tone plan having a firstnumber of tones, for communication of one or more wireless messages by awireless device; allocate a second allocation unit, associated with asecond tone plan having a second number of tones different from thefirst number of tones, for communication of one or more wirelessmessages by the wireless device; select a combined tone plan for thewireless device based on at least the first tone plan and the secondtone plan, wherein the combined tone plan comprises a combination of twoor more tone allocation units and a tone plan having one of 150, 282,336, 516, 570, 702, 1028, 1082, 1214, 1448, or 1682 data tones; andprovide a wireless message for transmission by the wireless deviceaccording to the combined tone plan, wherein providing the wirelessmessage for transmission comprises separately encoding or interleavingdata over the first allocation unit and the second allocation unitaccording to the first tone plan and the second tone plan, whereinseparately encoding or interleaving data is according to a binaryconvolution code interleaving depth (NCOL) or low-density parity checktone mapping distance (DTM); wherein the binary convolution codeinterleaving depth (NCOL) for the first allocation unit is a factor ofthe first number of tones or the low-density parity check tone mappingdistance (DTM) for the first allocation unit is an integer divisor ofthe first number of tones; and wherein the binary convolution codeinterleaving depth (NCOL) for the second allocation unit is a factor ofthe second number of tones or the low-density parity check tone mappingdistance (DTM) for the second allocation unit is an integer divisor ofthe second number of tones.